HVAC Tech Salary

Albertville vs Mobile: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Albertville, AL and Mobile, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albertville, AL
$45,631
$21.94/hr
Mobile, AL
$47,302
$22.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbertville, ALMobile, AL
Median Salary$45,631$47,302
Hourly Rate$21.94$22.75
Entry Level (P10)$31,578$35,723
25th Percentile$38,537$42,441
75th Percentile$55,138$59,927
Top Earner (P90)$65,424$69,750
Total Employed4820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albertville ($45,631) and Mobile ($47,302) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.AlbertvilleMobileMedian Salary$45,631$47,302Entry Level (P10)$31,578$35,723Top Earner (P90)$65,424$69,750US Median $60,174

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Albertville.

The salary gap between Albertville and Mobile is $1,671 (3.66%). Mobile's median is -21.39% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albertville spans $33,846,Mobile spans $34,027. Mobile has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Albertville
P10 (Entry)$31,578
P25$38,537
Median$45,631
P75$55,138
P90 (Top)$65,424
Mobile
P10 (Entry)$35,723
P25$42,441
Median$47,302
P75$59,927
P90 (Top)$69,750

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($53,692 effective) pays 3.43% more than Albertville ($51,912 effective).

Albertville
Nominal: $45,631
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $51,912
Mobile
Nominal: $47,302
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $53,692

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albertville if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,302/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,750)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,692)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Albertville grew 8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 6.6% growth in Mobile over the same period.

Albertville, AL

+8.8%

$40,414 (2024) → $43,952 (2025)

Mobile, AL

+6.6%

$42,760 (2019) → $45,562 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Albertville or Mobile?

Mobile has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $47,302/year, compared to Albertville at $45,631/year — a difference of $1,671 (3.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albertville and Mobile?

Albertville heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $21.94/hr while Mobile hygienists earn $22.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albertville to Mobile as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albertville and Mobile. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albertville = $51,912, Mobile = $53,692), job availability (4 vs 820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Albertville vs Mobile?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $31,578 in Albertville and $35,723 in Mobile. The Mobile area offers higher starting salaries.
JL

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.82% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician, a licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov