Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Florence, AL: $45,922 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Florence, AL earns a median $45,922/year (≈ $22.07/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 84.8), that paycheck buys what $54,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.6% below the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Florence, AL is estimated to be $45,922, which is significantly below the national median salary of $60,174. With a salary range spanning from $34,678 at the lower end to $60,933 for the most experienced professionals, this compensation reflects the local market's dynamics. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the commission-driven nature of the job, where residential service companies frequently incentivize their technicians through bonus structures based on sales. While this can enhance earning potential for those in residential roles, it underscores how competitive and variable compensation can be in this sector, set against the backdrop of a growing need for HVAC services in Florence.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,678 | $16.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,256 | $17.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $45,922 | $22.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,027 | $27.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,933 | $29.29 |
Median Salary Position
23.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, AL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,255 (2026 est.). At $45,922, the local median is 23.68% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Florence median: $45,922/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $47,637 | -3.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -23.68% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Florence, AL earn a median of $45,922 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.68% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.60% below the Alabama state average of $47,637.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 15.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, AL has a cost-of-living index of 84.817 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $45,922 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,142 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,450
2025 BLS Actual
$44,232
2026 Current Est.
$45,922
2019–2027 Growth
+34.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,450 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,080 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,350 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,232 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45,922 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $47,676 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 24.8% from $35,450 (2019) to $44,232 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $47,676 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,226 (34.49%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $34,678 – $36,256 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,256 – $45,922 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $45,922 – $57,027 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,027 – $60,933 |
HACR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Job Market in Florence
The local job market in Florence employs approximately 250 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which indicates a stable demand for these professionals in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 84.817, the relative affordability in Florence means that technicians' take-home pay could stretch further compared to national standards. Employers such as residential service companies, including Carrier dealers and franchise operations like One Hour Heating & Air, often lead in pay scales, particularly when technicians leverage commission opportunities. Variability in wages arises from specialization—data center HVAC roles and technical support positions typically offer more stable salaries compared to residential service jobs, which may involve high-pressure sales incentives. For mechanics looking to maximize their income in the Florence market, obtaining certifications like NATE and pursuing residential sales roles will be critical strategies, especially as demand for heat pump installations continues to rise with supportive tax incentives.
More salary data for Florence, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $44,232 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Florence metropolitan area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
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