ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

HVAC Technician Salary
in Irvine, CA

Install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Median salary in Irvine: $107K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$107K
per year
Take-home: $65K

Salary range in Irvine

Entry level (25th)$83,000
Median (50th)$107,000
Senior (75th)$138,000
Top earner (90th)$175,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Irvine, California. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial Β· How we calculate this β†’

Help build this dataset. Add your own HVAC Technician salary so other workers in Irvine have better numbers to work with.
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What the numbers say for Irvine

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above β€” specific to this role and city.

73% premium vs national median

HVAC Technicians in Irvine earn approximately 73% higher than the US national median for this role β€” a $45,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Irvine's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

9.3% state tax = $9,951/yr

California's 9.3% state income tax reduces take-home by roughly $9,951 per year at the median salary. A HVAC Technician relocating to a no-tax state like Texas, Florida, or Tennessee would retain that amount without changing gross pay.

Rent eats 51% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Irvine ($2,800/mo) consumes approximately 51% of an after-tax median HVAC Technician salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home β€” a salary at the 75th percentile ($138K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Irvine

Median salary
$107K
annual
Take-home pay
$65K
after fed/state tax
COL index
172
100 = US avg
State income tax
9.3%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,800
per month
YoY growth
+5.8%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Irvine HVAC Technician to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $107K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast β€” Irvine

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
HVAC Technician salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED β†’$90K$98K$106K$113K$121K201920212023202520272029
2026
$110K
projected
2027
$112K
projected
2028
$115K
projected
2029
$118K
projected
2030
$121K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$107,000+$0
2028 projected$107,000+$0
2029 projected$107,000+$0
2030 projected$107,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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HVAC Technician Salary in Irvine, California: Complete Guide (2026)

The median HVAC Technician salary in Irvine, CA is $107,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Irvine–CA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for HVAC Technician in Irvine

Entry-level HVAC Technicians in Irvine with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $83,000 and $107,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $107,000 to $138,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $138,000 to $175,000 or more.

Cost of living in Irvine for HVAC Technicians

Irvine has a cost of living index of 172 compared to the US national average of 100. Irvine's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. California has a 9.3% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for HVAC Technician

Trade school; EPA 608 certification; journeyman license. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

HVAC Technician salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Irvine (current)$107K172
Los Angeles$81K163
San Diego$78K148
San Jose$90K210
San Francisco$93K224
Fresno$59K102