§ 03 Trade wages
HVAC technicians in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
HVAC technicians in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA metro earned a median of $37.66 an hour in May 2025 (BLS OEWS), 28% higher than the national median of $29.33. The middle half earned $29.82 to $46.67. About 210 people work in this occupation here. That ranks 9 of 350 metros with a reliable estimate for this trade. These are employee wages, not what a contractor bills you per hour.
BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC 49-9021
HVAC technicians, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA
25th pct$29.82per hour
Median$37.66per hour
75th pct$46.67per hour
10th pct$22.96
90th pct$55.67
Mean$38.72
Workers210
Your multiplier: ×2.0Median wage × multiplier: $75/hr
OEWS reports what employers pay these workers per hour. A contractor’s bill also covers the business: insurance, licensing, vehicles, tools, office staff, warranty callbacks, unbilled travel time and profit. The wage is a floor for understanding a quote, never a price. You set the multiplier; we publish no typical markup because we have no citable source for one.What else is in a bill for this trade
- A load calculation and system design before a replacement
- Refrigerant handling (EPA Section 608 certified technicians)
- Permit, start-up and warranty registration
BLS OEWS May 2025 · Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA · mean RSE 3.4%Employee wages from the BLS employer survey. Not what a contractor bills.