Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Florence, SC: $57,985 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Florence, SC earns a median $57,985/year (≈ $27.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 86.8), that paycheck buys what $66,823 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Florence, South Carolina, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in 2026 is projected to reach $57,985 annually, showing a slight variance from the national average of $60,174. The expected salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions starting at around $36,168, while experienced professionals in this field can earn up to $80,304. These figures are derived from the latest calculations based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected into 2026. The competitive local job market, underpinned by strong residential commission structures, often significantly enhances variable compensation through sales incentives, reflecting the demand for skilled technicians in Florence.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,168 | $17.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,633 | $20.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,985 | $27.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,060 | $33.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,304 | $38.61 |
Median Salary Position
3.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, SC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,136 (2026 est.). At $57,985, the local median is 3.64% 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: $57,985/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $57,240 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.64% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Florence, SC earn a median of $57,985 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% above the South Carolina state average of $57,240.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 13.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, SC has a cost-of-living index of 86.774 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,985 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,823 in an average-cost city — an effective 15.24% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,170
2025 BLS Actual
$55,851
2026 Current Est.
$57,985
2019–2027 Growth
+49.9%
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 | $40,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,851 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,985 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,200 | 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 39.0% from $40,170 (2019) to $55,851 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,200 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,030 (49.86%) 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) | $36,168 – $43,633 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,633 – $57,985 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,985 – $69,060 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,060 – $80,304 |
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
Currently, there are approximately 180 individuals employed in this field within Florence. The cost of living index stands at 86.774, indicating that residents can stretch their dollars further compared to other parts of the country. Employers such as Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists frequently offer the highest compensation packages, with commercial HVAC contractors also providing solid pay for specialized skills. The disparity in salary can largely be attributed to factors like the level of specialization required, including on-call premiums and brand-specific certifications like NATE and Carrier Distinguished Dealer status. For those looking to maximize their heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Florence, acquiring relevant certifications and focusing on residential service roles that offer commission-based earnings, especially as demand for heat pump installations surges due to new tax credits, may provide the best financial outcomes.
More salary data for Florence, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Florence?
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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 $55,851 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