HVAC Tech Salary

Baton Rouge vs Kenner: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Baton Rouge, LA and Kenner, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Baton Rouge, LA
$62,077
$29.85/hr
Kenner, LA
$55,365
$26.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBaton Rouge, LAKenner, LA
Median Salary$62,077$55,365
Hourly Rate$29.85$26.62
Entry Level (P10)$37,963$37,843
25th Percentile$45,803$44,595
75th Percentile$65,638$70,868
Top Earner (P90)$78,982$85,816
Total Employed1,18011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Baton Rouge ($62,077) and Kenner ($55,365) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Baton RougeKennerMedian Salary$62,077$55,365Entry Level (P10)$37,963$37,843Top Earner (P90)$78,982$85,816US Median $60,174

Verdict

Baton Rouge, LA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Kenner.

The salary gap between Baton Rouge and Kenner is $6,712 (12.12%). Baton Rouge's median is +3.16% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Baton Rouge spans $41,019,Kenner spans $47,973. Kenner has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Baton Rouge
P10 (Entry)$37,963
P25$45,803
Median$62,077
P75$65,638
P90 (Top)$78,982
Kenner
P10 (Entry)$37,843
P25$44,595
Median$55,365
P75$70,868
P90 (Top)$85,816

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Baton Rouge ($68,382 effective) pays 11.53% more than Kenner ($61,312 effective).

Baton Rouge
Nominal: $62,077
CoL Index: 90.78
Adjusted: $68,382
Kenner
Nominal: $55,365
CoL Index: 90.3
Adjusted: $61,312

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Baton Rouge if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,077/year)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,382)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Kenner if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,816)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Baton Rouge grew 28.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 15.9% growth in Kenner over the same period.

Baton Rouge, LA

+28.6%

$46,500 (2019) → $59,793 (2025)

Kenner, LA

+15.9%

$46,005 (2024) → $53,328 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Baton Rouge or Kenner?

Baton Rouge has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $62,077/year, compared to Kenner at $55,365/year — a difference of $6,712 (12.12%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Baton Rouge and Kenner?

Baton Rouge heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.85/hr while Kenner hygienists earn $26.62/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Baton Rouge to Kenner as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Baton Rouge and Kenner. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Baton Rouge = $68,382, Kenner = $61,312), job availability (1,180 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Baton Rouge vs Kenner?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,963 in Baton Rouge and $37,843 in Kenner. The Baton Rouge area offers higher starting salaries.
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