HVAC Tech Salary

Bullhead City vs Yuma: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Bullhead City, AZ and Yuma, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bullhead City, AZ
$55,032
$26.45/hr
Yuma, AZ
$56,505
$27.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBullhead City, AZYuma, AZ
Median Salary$55,032$56,505
Hourly Rate$26.45$27.16
Entry Level (P10)$38,198$38,229
25th Percentile$44,750$45,853
75th Percentile$69,829$62,689
Top Earner (P90)$85,161$74,929
Total Employed9280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bullhead City ($55,032) and Yuma ($56,505) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Bullhead CityYumaMedian Salary$55,032$56,505Entry Level (P10)$38,198$38,229Top Earner (P90)$85,161$74,929US Median $60,174

Verdict

Yuma, AZ offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bullhead City.

The salary gap between Bullhead City and Yuma is $1,473 (2.68%). Yuma's median is -6.10% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bullhead City spans $46,963,Yuma spans $36,700. Bullhead City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bullhead City
P10 (Entry)$38,198
P25$44,750
Median$55,032
P75$69,829
P90 (Top)$85,161
Yuma
P10 (Entry)$38,229
P25$45,853
Median$56,505
P75$62,689
P90 (Top)$74,929

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Yuma ($60,951 effective) pays 9.09% more than Bullhead City ($55,870 effective).

Bullhead City
Nominal: $55,032
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $55,870
Yuma
Nominal: $56,505
CoL Index: 92.706
Adjusted: $60,951

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bullhead City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,161)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Yuma if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,505/year)
  • Larger job market (280 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,951)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Bullhead City grew -1.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.1% growth in Yuma over the same period.

Bullhead City, AZ

+-1.3%

$53,721 (2024) → $53,007 (2025)

Yuma, AZ

+31.1%

$41,520 (2019) → $54,426 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Bullhead City or Yuma?

Yuma has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $56,505/year, compared to Bullhead City at $55,032/year — a difference of $1,473 (2.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bullhead City and Yuma?

Bullhead City heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $26.45/hr while Yuma hygienists earn $27.16/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bullhead City to Yuma as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bullhead City and Yuma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bullhead City = $55,870, Yuma = $60,951), job availability (9 vs 280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Bullhead City vs Yuma?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $38,198 in Bullhead City and $38,229 in Yuma. The Yuma 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