How does San Francisco HVAC pay compare to the California average?

San Francisco HVAC technicians earn $74,786/year, which is $13,486 above the California state median of $61,300 (+22%).

What certifications increase HVAC pay in San Francisco?

The highest-value certifications for HVAC technicians in San Francisco are: NATE Certified (+$8,500/yr, raising pay to ~$83,286), State Journeyman License (+$4,200/yr), EPA 608 Universal (+$3,500/yr), and OSHA 30 (+$2,000/yr for commercial contract access).

San Francisco, California · HVAC Technician Salary

$74,786/year

Q: What is the average HVAC salary in San Francisco, California?

The median HVAC technician salary in San Francisco, California is $74,786 per year, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). The middle 50% of technicians in the area earn between $55,342 and $99,465 annually.

Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in San Francisco, California, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $55,342 at the 25th percentile to $99,465 at the 75th.

25th Percentile

$55,342

Median

$74,786

75th Percentile

$99,465

vs. State Median

+22%

Salary by Experience Level in San Francisco

Level	Experience	Est. Annual	Est. Hourly
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs Will train; EPA 608 not yet required	0–2 yrs	$52,350	$25/hr
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs EPA 608 Universal typically obtained	2–5 yrs	$65,812	$32/hr
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs Median — baseline for this city	5–10 yrs	$74,786	$36/hr
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs NATE certification often present	10–15 yrs	$86,004	$41/hr
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs Manages crew or service fleet	15+ yrs	$95,726	$46/hr

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

Certification Pay Premium in San Francisco

EPA 608 Universal+$3,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$78,286/yr

NATE Certified+$8,500/yr

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

With cert: ~$83,286/yr

State Journeyman License+$4,200/yr

Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it

With cert: ~$78,986/yr

OSHA 30+$2,000/yr

Opens commercial and government service contracts

With cert: ~$76,786/yr

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

Salary by Specialization in San Francisco

Specialization	Est. Median	vs. Residential
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area	$74,786	baseline
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity	$85,256	+14%
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium	$88,247	+18%
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin	$98,718	+32%
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles	$70,299	-6%

How San Francisco Compares

vs. California Median

State median: $61,300/yr

+22% (+$13,486)

vs. National Median

National: $54,228/yr

+38% (+$20,558)

San Jose

Est. median: $72,334/yr

-$2,452

Los Angeles

Est. median: $68,656/yr

-$6,130

San Diego

Est. median: $66,204/yr

-$8,582

Sacramento

Est. median: $63,752/yr

-$11,034

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Other cities in California:

San Jose — $72,334 Los Angeles — $68,656 San Diego — $66,204 Sacramento — $63,752 ← California overview

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