Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Gadsden, AL: $48,624 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Gadsden, AL earns a median $48,624/year (≈ $23.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Gadsden's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $56,769 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gadsden, Alabama, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $48,624. This amount reflects a competitive pay scale relative to the national median of $60,174, illustrating that local salaries are approximately 19.19% lower than the national average. The salary range is quite expansive, with entry-level technicians earning around $33,889 and experienced professionals making up to $70,125. This information is derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicating a growing demand for skilled technicians in the area. As the market continues to evolve, HVAC professionals will find various opportunities across residential and commercial sectors, underscoring the importance of staying updated on industry techniques and certifications, such as those offered by NATE and EPA Section 608.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,889 | $16.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,682 | $18.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,624 | $23.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,197 | $28.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,125 | $33.71 |
Median Salary Position
19.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gadsden
In Gadsden, AL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,236 (2026 est.). At $48,624, the local median is 19.19% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gadsden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gadsden Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Gadsden median: $48,624/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gadsden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $47,624 | +2.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -19.19% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Gadsden, AL earn a median of $48,624 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.19% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.10% above the Alabama state average of $47,624.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gadsden has a cost of living 14.35% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gadsden, AL has a cost-of-living index of 85.653 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $48,624 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,769 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.75% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,120
2025 BLS Actual
$46,835
2026 Current Est.
$48,624
2019–2027 Growth
+14.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Gadsden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,120 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,640 | Actual |
| 2023 | $41,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,835 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,624 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,482 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gadsden metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 6.2% from $44,120 (2019) to $46,835 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,482 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,362 (14.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gadsden 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) | $33,889 – $38,682 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,682 – $48,624 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,624 – $59,197 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,197 – $70,125 |
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 Gadsden
With approximately 120 mechanics and installers actively employed in Gadsden, the local job market for HVAC professionals appears stable, especially considering the area's low cost of living index of 85.653. This affordability boosts take-home pay, making it easier for workers to manage expenses compared to many urban settings. Leading employers in the area—such as residential service companies like Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists—often pay more due to commission-based structures, where technicians can significantly increase earnings based on performance. High-paying positions often require specialized knowledge, including certifications in commercial HVAC applications or expertise in new heat pump technologies, which are rapidly gaining traction due to tax incentives like the IRA credits. The variability in pay within this market can be attributed to differences in service types, whether residential or commercial, and additionally by the presence of on-call rotations or advanced certifications adding to earning potential. Understanding these dynamics is essential for maximizing compensation in Gadsden's heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration landscape.
More salary data for Gadsden, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Gadsden, AL in 2026?
Is Gadsden, AL a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Gadsden?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Gadsden?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Gadsden?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Alabama
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 $46,835 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Gadsden 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