HVAC Technician salary in San Francisco, CA
Median pay, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland)
$78,490/year
about $37.74 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $61,930 – $101,870
Half of hvac technicians in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area earn more than $78,490 a year and half earn less. That's 29% higher than the national median of $61,010, and ranks #4 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| 25th | $61,930 | $29.77 |
| Median (50th) | $78,490 | $37.74 |
| 75th | $101,870 | $48.98 |
| 90th (top earners) | $129,380 | $62.20 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a hvac technician job in the San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland) area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $61,930 ($29.77/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $61,930 to $101,870 ($29.77 to $48.98/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $101,870 ($48.98/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- EPA 608 certification is required to work with refrigerants, and more certifications usually mean more pay.
- Summer and winter peaks bring overtime. Ask how much is typical and how it's paid.
- Ask whether you get a company van, tools and paid on-call time.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Francisco Bay Area (SF/Oakland). Occupation: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 49-9021). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.