HVAC Tech Salary

Boise City vs Post Falls: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Boise City, ID and Post Falls, ID. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boise City, ID
$56,485
$27.15/hr
Post Falls, ID
$48,358
$23.25/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoise City, IDPost Falls, ID
Median Salary$56,485$48,358
Hourly Rate$27.15$23.25
Entry Level (P10)$40,448$34,179
25th Percentile$46,859$39,624
75th Percentile$65,115$58,796
Top Earner (P90)$79,436$73,603
Total Employed2,2709
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boise City ($56,485) and Post Falls ($48,358) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Boise CityPost FallsMedian Salary$56,485$48,358Entry Level (P10)$40,448$34,179Top Earner (P90)$79,436$73,603US Median $60,174

Verdict

Boise City, ID offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Post Falls.

The salary gap between Boise City and Post Falls is $8,127 (16.81%). Boise City's median is -6.13% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boise City spans $38,988,Post Falls spans $39,424. Post Falls has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Boise City
P10 (Entry)$40,448
P25$46,859
Median$56,485
P75$65,115
P90 (Top)$79,436
Post Falls
P10 (Entry)$34,179
P25$39,624
Median$48,358
P75$58,796
P90 (Top)$73,603

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boise City ($57,409 effective) pays 13.14% more than Post Falls ($50,743 effective).

Boise City
Nominal: $56,485
CoL Index: 98.391
Adjusted: $57,409
Post Falls
Nominal: $48,358
CoL Index: 95.3
Adjusted: $50,743

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boise City if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,485/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,436)
  • Larger job market (2,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,409)
  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Choose Post Falls if…

  • You prefer the Idaho area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Boise City grew 23.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -5.8% growth in Post Falls over the same period.

Boise City, ID

+23.3%

$44,130 (2019) → $54,407 (2025)

Post Falls, ID

+-5.8%

$49,465 (2024) → $46,579 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Boise City or Post Falls?

Boise City has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $56,485/year, compared to Post Falls at $48,358/year — a difference of $8,127 (16.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boise City and Post Falls?

Boise City heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.15/hr while Post Falls hygienists earn $23.25/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boise City to Post Falls as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boise City and Post Falls. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boise City = $57,409, Post Falls = $50,743), job availability (2,270 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Boise City vs Post Falls?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $40,448 in Boise City and $34,179 in Post Falls. The Boise City 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