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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for an Intermediate HVAC Mechanic in California is $67,290 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $32.
However, an Intermediate HVAC Mechanic's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Intermediate HVAC Mechanic Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $73,090 | $6,091 | $1,406 | $35 |
| Average | $67,290 | $5,608 | $1,294 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,590 | $5,049 | $1,165 | $29 |
Med-Trans Corporation - Riverside, CA
Global Medical Response Inc - Riverside, CA
Capital Brand Group, LLC - San Diego, CA
Epsilon Systems - Port Hueneme, CA
An Intermediate HVAC Mechanic's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.
Experience is a primary driver of an Intermediate HVAC Mechanic's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Entry HVAC Mechanic | 0-1 years | $57,320 |
| Intermediate HVAC Mechanic | 1-3 years | $67,210 |
| HVAC Installation Technician III | 3-5 years | $74,518 |
| HVAC Field Supervisor | 5+ years | $87,599 |
What Am I Worth?
Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Intermediate HVAC Mechanics. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:
Intermediate HVAC Mechanic salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $75,327. While startup companies pay approximate $63,725.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $63,725 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $67,397 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $72,742 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $75,327 |
For Intermediate HVAC Mechanic roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 67% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Internet and Energy & Utilities sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 25% above the average. In contrast, Intermediate HVAC Mechanic positions in Transportation or Hospitality & Leisure typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Intermediate HVAC Mechanic as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Internet | $84,112 | $40.0 | 25% |
| Energy & Utilities | $80,748 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $79,402 | $38.0 | 18% |
| Insurance | $74,019 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Healthcare | $72,673 | $35.0 | 8% |
Understanding how an Intermediate HVAC Mechanic's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $73,090 | $6,091 | $1,406 | $35 |
| Average | $67,290 | $5,608 | $1,294 | $32 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,590 | $5,049 | $1,165 | $29 |
For an Intermediate HVAC Mechanic, the most direct path to higher earnings is advancing to the HVAC Installation Technician III role. This promotion typically comes with a significant pay increase, bringing the average annual salary to $74,600 - a projected growth of 11% over your current level.
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Intermediate HVAC Mechanic job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
California Institute of Technology
Pasadena, CA
California Institute of Technology | Pasadena, CA
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Santa Clara University
Santa Clara, CA
Santa Clara University | Santa Clara, CA
HVAC Mechanic. Maintains, repairs, installs, and modifies a variety of heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration equipment. Electrical: trou... more
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Southwestern Community College District
Chula Vista, CA
Southwestern Community College District | Chula Vista, CA
HVAC Mechanic. Under the direction of the Maintenance Supervisor, perform skilled mechanical work in repair, inspection, servicing and alteration of Distri... more
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SolveNow
Torrance, CA
SolveNow | Torrance, CA
HVAC Technician. Qualifications. Advanced students of an Applied Technologies HVAC program. EPA Refrigerant License or ability to obtain within 1 year of b... more
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Salk Institute for Biological Studies
La Jolla, CA
Salk Institute for Biological Studies | La Jolla, CA
HVAC&R Mechanic. Under limited supervision, the HVAC&R Mechanic performs the full range of skilled journey level air conditioning and refrigeration work in... more
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United Rentals
Bakersfield, CA
United Rentals | Bakersfield, CA
Power HVAC Mechanic. If you'd like the chance to make your mark with the world's largest equipment rental provider, come build your future with United Rent... more
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