Furnace Replacement Cost in California
$3,000 – $8,700We estimate furnace replacement in California at $3,000 to $8,700 for a gas furnace on existing ductwork and gas line. The national estimate is $2,950 to $8,350. California HVAC technician pay is 19% above the national median, ranking 12 of 51.
| Part of the job | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Parts and materials (our assumption) | $2,500 | $6,500 |
| Labor hours (our assumption) | 6 | 14 |
| Billed labor rate per hour | $87 | $157 |
| Estimated total | $3,000 | $8,700 |
Our estimate, not a quote. Billed rate is the California median wage from BLS (2025, $34.88 an hour) times 2.5 to 4.5 to cover payroll costs, overhead, travel and profit. How we estimate
What our assumptions are based on
| Item | Sourced figure | Basis | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parts | $1,249 – $1,835 | Budget Heating listed prices for 20 gas furnaces, all 80% AFUE, 40,000 to 135,000 BTU. No 90%+ AFUE models were on this list. | Budget Heating |
What other publishers report
| Publisher | Low | High | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| This Old House | $3,800 | $10,000 | Gas furnace installed. Page dated June 2026. |
| Today's Homeowner | $3,300 | $7,800 | Gas furnace replacement installed. Page dated September 2025. |
| Bob Vila | $3,800 | $10,000 | Gas furnace installed. Page dated April 2024. |
Cities in California
| Metro area | Median wage | Low | High |
|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles | $35.49 | $3,050 | $8,750 |
| San Francisco | $37.73 | $3,050 | $8,900 |
| Riverside | $30.92 | $2,950 | $8,450 |
| San Diego | $36.00 | $3,050 | $8,750 |
Who can legally do this in California
Heating and air conditioning contractors are licensed by the Contractors State License Board under the C-20 Warm-Air Heating, Ventilating and Air-Conditioning Contractor classification.
Check a license with CSLB Check A License
Compared with neighboring states
Other HVAC technician jobs in California
Furnace Replacement cost in every state · California home repair guide
Sources
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.