HVAC Tech Salary

Albany vs Kiryas Joel: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Albany, NY and Kiryas Joel, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Albany, NY
$65,135
$31.31/hr
Kiryas Joel, NY
$64,632
$31.06/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlbany, NYKiryas Joel, NY
Median Salary$65,135$64,632
Hourly Rate$31.31$31.06
Entry Level (P10)$46,859$42,776
25th Percentile$55,390$53,763
75th Percentile$77,513$79,219
Top Earner (P90)$96,470$91,626
Total Employed1,4501,150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Albany ($65,135) and Kiryas Joel ($64,632) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.AlbanyKiryas JoelMedian Salary$65,135$64,632Entry Level (P10)$46,859$42,776Top Earner (P90)$96,470$91,626US Median $60,174

Verdict

Albany, NY offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kiryas Joel.

The salary gap between Albany and Kiryas Joel is $503 (0.78%). Albany's median is +8.24% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Albany spans $49,611,Kiryas Joel spans $48,850. Albany has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Albany
P10 (Entry)$46,859
P25$55,390
Median$65,135
P75$77,513
P90 (Top)$96,470
Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$42,776
P25$53,763
Median$64,632
P75$79,219
P90 (Top)$91,626

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Albany ($65,419 effective) pays 10.75% more than Kiryas Joel ($59,067 effective).

Albany
Nominal: $65,135
CoL Index: 99.566
Adjusted: $65,419
Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $64,632
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $59,067

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Albany if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,135/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,470)
  • Larger job market (1,450 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,419)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Albany grew 2.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -0.5% growth in Kiryas Joel over the same period.

Albany, NY

+2.9%

$60,980 (2019) → $62,738 (2025)

Kiryas Joel, NY

+-0.5%

$62,550 (2024) → $62,254 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Albany or Kiryas Joel?

Albany has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $65,135/year, compared to Kiryas Joel at $64,632/year — a difference of $503 (0.78%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Albany and Kiryas Joel?

Albany heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $31.31/hr while Kiryas Joel hygienists earn $31.06/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Albany to Kiryas Joel as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Albany and Kiryas Joel. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Albany = $65,419, Kiryas Joel = $59,067), job availability (1,450 vs 1,150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Albany vs Kiryas Joel?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $46,859 in Albany and $42,776 in Kiryas Joel. The Albany area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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