Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tennessee: $55,865 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Tennessee's 30 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $55,865/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Tennessee sits at BEA RPP 91.8 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,855 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashville ($57,257), Franklin ($56,568), Murfreesboro ($56,242).
In Tennessee, the salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers shows a median of $55,865 for 2026, which is 7.2% lower than the national median of $60,174. The disparity in pay across cities is significant, with Nashville offering the highest average salary at $59,444, while Tullahoma presents the lowest at $46,430. This variation can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for HVAC services, and competition among employers in urban versus rural areas. Tennessee requires state licensing for HVAC mechanics, ensuring that professionals meet certain standards of competency. This regulatory framework helps maintain a qualified workforce amid an increasing demand for installation and repair services, driven by growth in both residential and commercial sectors. The projected annual growth rate for this occupation stands at 3.82%, indicating steady job market expansion. The top cities for employment in this field are Nashville, Franklin at $58,729, Murfreesboro at $58,390, Knoxville at $56,002, and Memphis also at $56,002. As the demand for skilled HVAC professionals continues to rise, opportunities in Tennessee are expected to remain solid, appealing to those entering this career path.
Tennessee Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Tennessee: $31,121 (lowest entry-level) to $91,029 (highest top earner)
Tennessee vs National Average
Tennessee heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 7.16% less than the national median ($-4,309/year difference).
Tennessee Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Tennessee range from $40,954 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $84,083 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,865. The Tennessee median is $4,309 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $26.86/hr. Approximately 8,932 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 30 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,024
2025 BLS Actual
$53,809
2026 Current Est.
$55,865
2019–2027 Growth
+41.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tennessee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,024 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,445 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,787 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,853 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,883 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,809 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,865 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,999 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tennessee metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 31.2% from $41,024 (2019) to $53,809 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,999 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,975 (41.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tennessee 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Tennessee
Lowest Paying Cities in Tennessee
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tullahoma | $46,430 |
| Johnson City | $47,352 |
| Sevierville | $47,443 |
| Maryville | $47,717 |
| Cookeville | $47,748 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tennessee
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Tennessee cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin | $58,729 | 91.8 | $63,975 |
| Murfreesboro | $58,390 | 91.8 | $63,606 |
| Jackson | $53,408 | 85.522 | $62,449 |
| Nashville | $59,444 | 96.338 | $61,704 |
| Memphis | $56,002 | 92.179 | $60,754 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Tennessee
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $40,954 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,865 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $84,083 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Tennessee metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 30 Cities in Tennessee
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $59,444 |
| 2 | Franklin | $58,729 |
| 3 | Murfreesboro | $58,390 |
| 4 | Knoxville | $56,002 |
| 5 | Memphis | $56,002 |
| 6 | Jackson | $53,408 |
| 7 | Smyrna | $50,794 |
| 8 | Bartlett | $50,540 |
| 9 | Collierville | $50,364 |
| 10 | Chattanooga | $50,252 |
| 11 | Spring Hill | $49,978 |
| 12 | Clarksville | $49,788 |
| 13 | Lebanon | $49,308 |
| 14 | Oak Ridge | $49,304 |
| 15 | Cleveland | $49,082 |
| 16 | Columbia | $48,973 |
| 17 | Germantown | $48,911 |
| 18 | Hendersonville | $48,812 |
| 19 | Gallatin | $48,727 |
| 20 | Brentwood | $48,474 |
| 21 | Kingsport | $48,279 |
| 22 | Shelbyville | $48,097 |
| 23 | Mount Juliet | $48,096 |
| 24 | La Vergne | $47,994 |
| 25 | Morristown | $47,984 |
| 26 | Cookeville | $47,748 |
| 27 | Maryville | $47,717 |
| 28 | Sevierville | $47,443 |
| 29 | Johnson City | $47,352 |
| 30 | Tullahoma | $46,430 |
More Tennessee Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Tennessee cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Compare Cities in Tennessee
View all comparisons →Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Tennessee in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tennessee?
How does Tennessee heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tennessee?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Tennessee?
Which Tennessee city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Tennessee. State averages are employment-weighted across 30 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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