HVAC Tech Salary

Barnstable Town vs Worcester: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Barnstable Town, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Barnstable Town, MA
$72,325
$34.77/hr
Worcester, MA
$72,788
$35.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBarnstable Town, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$72,325$72,788
Hourly Rate$34.77$35.00
Entry Level (P10)$50,173$47,638
25th Percentile$55,105$58,467
75th Percentile$80,965$88,865
Top Earner (P90)$95,453$95,473
Total Employed460800
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Barnstable Town ($72,325) and Worcester ($72,788) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Barnstable TownWorcesterMedian Salary$72,325$72,788Entry Level (P10)$50,173$47,638Top Earner (P90)$95,453$95,473US Median $60,174

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Barnstable Town.

The salary gap between Barnstable Town and Worcester is $463 (0.64%). Worcester's median is +20.96% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Barnstable Town spans $45,280,Worcester spans $47,835. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Barnstable Town
P10 (Entry)$50,173
P25$55,105
Median$72,325
P75$80,965
P90 (Top)$95,453
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$47,638
P25$58,467
Median$72,788
P75$88,865
P90 (Top)$95,473

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Barnstable Town ($73,538 effective) pays 3.58% more than Worcester ($70,997 effective).

Barnstable Town
Nominal: $72,325
CoL Index: 98.351
Adjusted: $73,538
Worcester
Nominal: $72,788
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $70,997

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Barnstable Town if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,538)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,788/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,473)
  • Larger job market (800 employed)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Barnstable Town grew 12.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.6% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Barnstable Town, MA

+12.2%

$62,070 (2019) → $69,664 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+19.6%

$58,640 (2019) → $70,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Barnstable Town or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $72,788/year, compared to Barnstable Town at $72,325/year — a difference of $463 (0.64%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Barnstable Town and Worcester?

Barnstable Town heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $34.77/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $35.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Barnstable Town to Worcester as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Barnstable Town and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Barnstable Town = $73,538, Worcester = $70,997), job availability (460 vs 800 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Barnstable Town vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $50,173 in Barnstable Town and $47,638 in Worcester. The Barnstable Town area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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