HVAC Technician salary in San Jose, CA
Median pay, San Jose / Silicon Valley metro
$82,050/year
about $39.45 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $63,820 – $106,630
Half of hvac technicians in the San Jose / Silicon Valley metro area earn more than $82,050 a year and half earn less. That's 34% higher than the national median of $61,010, and ranks #1 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $57,170 | $27.49 |
| 25th | $63,820 | $30.68 |
| Median (50th) | $82,050 | $39.45 |
| 75th | $106,630 | $51.26 |
| 90th (top earners) | $136,650 | $65.70 |
*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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $63,820 ($30.68/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $63,820 to $106,630 ($30.68 to $51.26/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $106,630 ($51.26/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 Jose / Silicon Valley metro. 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.