CA median pay
$72,560 a year
San Jose-area median
$82,050
HVAC techs in CA
About 35,130
Required for refrigerants
EPA Section 608
California has about 35,130 HVAC technicians, and the work ranges from fixing a home AC unit in the Central Valley heat to maintaining huge chillers in office towers and hospitals. One of the first decisions new techs face is which side of the trade to focus on.
Residential or commercial?
From the dean’s desk
Either. It really depends on what fits your personality best, but you do need to research each side in depth before you choose.
— Lester Burkes, Dean of Trades, Transportation & Apprenticeship
| Residential | Commercial | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical work | Homes and small buildings: furnaces, heat pumps, split AC systems | Offices, schools, hospitals: rooftop units, chillers, building controls |
| Day to day | Lots of customer contact; several service calls a day | Larger systems; more time on one site or project |
| Good fit if you | Like working with people and variety | Like complex systems and controls |
Talk to techs on both sides, ask instructors which employers hire from each, and if you can, ride along or job-shadow before you decide.
What HVAC techs earn in California
| Area | Median pay (May 2025) | Jobs |
|---|---|---|
| San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara | $82,050 | 1,740 |
| San Francisco–Oakland–Fremont | $78,490 | 3,980 |
| San Diego–Chula Vista–Carlsbad | $74,880 | 3,210 |
| Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim | $73,830 | 10,720 |
| Sacramento–Roseville–Folsom | $66,670 | 2,940 |
| Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario | $64,300 | 4,820 |
| Fresno | $62,580 | 1,300 |
| California overall | $72,560 | 35,130 |
How to become an HVAC tech in California
1
Get training
Community colleges and trade schools offer HVAC programs that typically run six months to two years.
2
Earn EPA Section 608 certification
Required to handle refrigerants. Most programs include it.
3
Consider an apprenticeship
State-approved HVAC apprenticeships let you earn while you learn. Search the Division of Apprenticeship Standards.
4
Choose your path
Use your first job to learn which side, residential or commercial, fits you.
5
Go into business, if you want
To contract HVAC work yourself, California requires a C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning license from the CSLB.
Frequently asked questions
Do HVAC techs need a license in California?
Techs who handle refrigerants need EPA 608 certification. To contract HVAC work yourself, you need a C-20 license from the CSLB.
How much do HVAC techs make in California?
The state median was $72,560 in May 2025, and $82,050 in the San Jose area.
Is residential or commercial HVAC better?
Neither is better. Residential suits people who like customer contact and variety; commercial suits people who like large, complex systems. Research both before you choose.
Sources
- BLS: HVAC Mechanics and Installers
- BLS OEWS: California, May 2025
- California Contractors State License Board
Related: HVAC Technician in Oregon · The Easiest Trades to Learn · All California guides
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