How does Los Angeles HVAC pay compare to the California average?

Los Angeles HVAC technicians earn $68,656/year, which is $7,356 above the California state median of $61,300 (+12%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in Los Angeles?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in Los Angeles are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$77,156), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

Los Angeles, California · HVAC Technician Salary

$68,656/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in Los Angeles, California?

The median HVAC technician salary in Los Angeles, California is $68,656 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $50,805 and $91,312 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Los Angeles, California, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $50,805 at the 25th percentile to $91,312 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$50,805

Median

$68,656

75th Percentile

$91,312

vs. State Median

+12%

Salary by Experience Level in Los Angeles

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$48,059	$23/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$60,417	$29/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$68,656	$33/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$78,954	$38/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$87,880	$42/hr

Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Los Angeles median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.

Certification Pay Premium in Los Angeles

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K

With cert: ~$72,156/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium

With cert: ~$77,156/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$72,856/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$70,656/yr

Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Los Angeles wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.

Salary by Specialization in Los Angeles

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$68,656	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$78,268	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$81,014	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$90,626	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$64,537	-6%

How Los Angeles Compares

vs. California Median

State median: $61,300/yr

+12% (+$7,356)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+27% (+$14,428)

San Francisco

Est. median: $74,786/yr

+$6,130

San Jose

Est. median: $72,334/yr

+$3,678

San Diego

Est. median: $66,204/yr

-$2,452

Sacramento

Est. median: $63,752/yr

-$4,904

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Other cities in California:

San Francisco — $74,786 San Jose — $72,334 San Diego — $66,204 Sacramento — $63,752 ← California overview

Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026