HVAC Tech Salary

Allentown vs Gettysburg: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Allentown, PA and Gettysburg, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Allentown, PA
$62,265
$29.93/hr
Gettysburg, PA
$59,701
$28.71/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAllentown, PAGettysburg, PA
Median Salary$62,265$59,701
Hourly Rate$29.93$28.71
Entry Level (P10)$47,736$47,362
25th Percentile$53,526$51,465
75th Percentile$74,811$69,998
Top Earner (P90)$93,283$75,028
Total Employed1,00090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Allentown ($62,265) and Gettysburg ($59,701) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.AllentownGettysburgMedian Salary$62,265$59,701Entry Level (P10)$47,736$47,362Top Earner (P90)$93,283$75,028US Median $60,174

Verdict

Allentown, PA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gettysburg.

The salary gap between Allentown and Gettysburg is $2,564 (4.29%). Allentown's median is +3.47% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Allentown spans $45,547,Gettysburg spans $27,666. Allentown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Allentown
P10 (Entry)$47,736
P25$53,526
Median$62,265
P75$74,811
P90 (Top)$93,283
Gettysburg
P10 (Entry)$47,362
P25$51,465
Median$59,701
P75$69,998
P90 (Top)$75,028

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gettysburg ($62,593 effective) pays 0.50% more than Allentown ($62,285 effective).

Allentown
Nominal: $62,265
CoL Index: 99.968
Adjusted: $62,285
Gettysburg
Nominal: $59,701
CoL Index: 95.379
Adjusted: $62,593

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Allentown if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,265/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,283)
  • Larger job market (1,000 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Gettysburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,593)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Allentown grew 22.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 31.1% growth in Gettysburg over the same period.

Allentown, PA

+22.2%

$49,080 (2019) → $59,974 (2025)

Gettysburg, PA

+31.1%

$43,870 (2019) → $57,504 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Allentown or Gettysburg?

Allentown has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $62,265/year, compared to Gettysburg at $59,701/year — a difference of $2,564 (4.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Allentown and Gettysburg?

Allentown heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.93/hr while Gettysburg hygienists earn $28.71/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Allentown to Gettysburg as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Allentown and Gettysburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Allentown = $62,285, Gettysburg = $62,593), job availability (1,000 vs 90 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Allentown vs Gettysburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $47,736 in Allentown and $47,362 in Gettysburg. The Allentown 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