TradesOfficial Payroll Survey · 99/1000–2 years

Entry Level HVAC Technician Salary in San Francisco

2026 · Recent graduates and professionals with under 2 years of experience.

$81,270/yr

Typical range: $79,849 $94,095

P10–P25 · BLS OEWS employer payroll data

HVAC Technician Salary Progression in San Francisco

From entry-level through staff — based on BLS OEWS percentile data

Experience LevelYearsPercentileAnnual SalaryMonthlyvs Entry
EntryThis page0 yrs0 yrs$81,270$6,773
Junior2 yrs2 yrs$97,073$8,089+19%
Mid-Level4 yrs4 yrs$107,608$8,967+32%
Senior6 yrs6 yrs$117,842$9,820+45%
Staff10 yrs10 yrs$137,708$11,476+69%
Principal14 yrs14 yrs$152,155$12,680+87%
Distinguished18 yrs18 yrs$155,768$12,981+92%
Current Salary
$81,270
Entry Level · 0–2 years
Hourly: $39/hr
Next Level Target
$97,073
Junior · 2
+$16Kpotential uplift
Career Opportunity
42/100
Below Average
+5% demand · Low AI risk

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry level HVAC Technician salary in San Francisco, CA?

Entry Level HVAC Technicians in San Francisco, CA earn approximately $81K per year (2026). This corresponds to the P10–P25 range of BLS OEWS employer payroll data.

How much does a entry level HVAC Technician make per hour in San Francisco, CA?

Based on $81K annually, the hourly rate is approximately $39/hr (2,080-hour work year).

How do I get from entry level to senior HVAC Technician in San Francisco, CA?

The typical progression takes 4–6 years with consistent skill development, project leadership, and strategic job moves. A senior HVAC Technician in San Francisco, CA earns $135K–$160K/yr.