HVAC Tech Salary

Salt Lake City vs Saratoga Springs: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Salt Lake City, UT and Saratoga Springs, UT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Salt Lake City, UT
$59,957
$28.83/hr
Saratoga Springs, UT
$53,947
$25.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSalt Lake City, UTSaratoga Springs, UT
Median Salary$59,957$53,947
Hourly Rate$28.83$25.93
Entry Level (P10)$37,844$36,042
25th Percentile$46,928$42,663
75th Percentile$74,337$67,285
Top Earner (P90)$82,059$81,565
Total Employed2,54010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Salt Lake City ($59,957) and Saratoga Springs ($53,947) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Salt Lake CitySaratoga SpringsMedian Salary$59,957$53,947Entry Level (P10)$37,844$36,042Top Earner (P90)$82,059$81,565US Median $60,174

Verdict

Salt Lake City, UT offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Saratoga Springs.

The salary gap between Salt Lake City and Saratoga Springs is $6,010 (11.14%). Salt Lake City's median is -0.36% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Salt Lake City spans $44,215,Saratoga Springs spans $45,523. Saratoga Springs has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Salt Lake City
P10 (Entry)$37,844
P25$46,928
Median$59,957
P75$74,337
P90 (Top)$82,059
Saratoga Springs
P10 (Entry)$36,042
P25$42,663
Median$53,947
P75$67,285
P90 (Top)$81,565

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Salt Lake City ($59,441 effective) pays 8.09% more than Saratoga Springs ($54,992 effective).

Salt Lake City
Nominal: $59,957
CoL Index: 100.868
Adjusted: $59,441
Saratoga Springs
Nominal: $53,947
CoL Index: 98.1
Adjusted: $54,992

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Salt Lake City if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,957/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,059)
  • Larger job market (2,540 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,441)
  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Choose Saratoga Springs if…

  • You prefer the Utah area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Salt Lake City grew 4.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -7.5% growth in Saratoga Springs over the same period.

Salt Lake City, UT

+4.3%

$55,360 (2019) → $57,751 (2025)

Saratoga Springs, UT

+-7.5%

$56,156 (2024) → $51,962 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Salt Lake City or Saratoga Springs?

Salt Lake City has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,957/year, compared to Saratoga Springs at $53,947/year — a difference of $6,010 (11.14%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Salt Lake City and Saratoga Springs?

Salt Lake City heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.83/hr while Saratoga Springs hygienists earn $25.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Salt Lake City to Saratoga Springs as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Salt Lake City and Saratoga Springs. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Salt Lake City = $59,441, Saratoga Springs = $54,992), job availability (2,540 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Salt Lake City vs Saratoga Springs?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,844 in Salt Lake City and $36,042 in Saratoga Springs. The Salt Lake City 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