HVAC Tech Salary

Baltimore vs Greenbelt: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Baltimore, MD and Greenbelt, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baltimore, MD
$62,314
$29.96/hr
Greenbelt, MD
$59,159
$28.45/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaltimore, MDGreenbelt, MD
Median Salary$62,314$59,159
Hourly Rate$29.96$28.45
Entry Level (P10)$44,423$39,755
25th Percentile$52,402$46,775
75th Percentile$83,786$74,116
Top Earner (P90)$101,903$89,072
Total Employed3,9604
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baltimore ($62,314) and Greenbelt ($59,159) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.BaltimoreGreenbeltMedian Salary$62,314$59,159Entry Level (P10)$44,423$39,755Top Earner (P90)$101,903$89,072US Median $60,174

Verdict

Baltimore, MD offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenbelt.

The salary gap between Baltimore and Greenbelt is $3,155 (5.33%). Baltimore's median is +3.56% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baltimore spans $57,480,Greenbelt spans $49,317. Baltimore has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Baltimore
P10 (Entry)$44,423
P25$52,402
Median$62,314
P75$83,786
P90 (Top)$101,903
Greenbelt
P10 (Entry)$39,755
P25$46,775
Median$59,159
P75$74,116
P90 (Top)$89,072

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baltimore ($59,638 effective) pays 10.19% more than Greenbelt ($54,125 effective).

Baltimore
Nominal: $62,314
CoL Index: 104.487
Adjusted: $59,638
Greenbelt
Nominal: $59,159
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $54,125

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baltimore if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,314/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($101,903)
  • Larger job market (3,960 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,638)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Greenbelt if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Baltimore grew -6.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.2% growth in Greenbelt over the same period.

Baltimore, MD

+-6.8%

$64,370 (2019) → $60,021 (2025)

Greenbelt, MD

+-11.2%

$64,161 (2024) → $56,982 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Baltimore or Greenbelt?

Baltimore has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $62,314/year, compared to Greenbelt at $59,159/year — a difference of $3,155 (5.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baltimore and Greenbelt?

Baltimore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.96/hr while Greenbelt hygienists earn $28.45/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baltimore and Greenbelt. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baltimore = $59,638, Greenbelt = $54,125), job availability (3,960 vs 4 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $44,423 in Baltimore and $39,755 in Greenbelt. The Baltimore 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