HVAC Tech Salary

Camas vs Seattle: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Camas, WA and Seattle, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Camas, WA
$67,565
$32.49/hr
Seattle, WA
$79,002
$37.98/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCamas, WASeattle, WA
Median Salary$67,565$79,002
Hourly Rate$32.49$37.98
Entry Level (P10)$46,060$50,676
25th Percentile$54,322$61,505
75th Percentile$85,131$99,803
Top Earner (P90)$103,571$127,617
Total Employed43,940
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Camas ($67,565) and Seattle ($79,002) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CamasSeattleMedian Salary$67,565$79,002Entry Level (P10)$46,060$50,676Top Earner (P90)$103,571$127,617US Median $60,174

Verdict

Seattle, WA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Camas.

The salary gap between Camas and Seattle is $11,437 (16.93%). Seattle's median is +31.29% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Camas spans $57,511,Seattle spans $76,941. Seattle has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Camas
P10 (Entry)$46,060
P25$54,322
Median$67,565
P75$85,131
P90 (Top)$103,571
Seattle
P10 (Entry)$50,676
P25$61,505
Median$79,002
P75$99,803
P90 (Top)$127,617

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Seattle ($71,088 effective) pays 13.00% more than Camas ($62,910 effective).

Camas
Nominal: $67,565
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $62,910
Seattle
Nominal: $79,002
CoL Index: 111.133
Adjusted: $71,088

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Camas if…

  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Seattle if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,002/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($127,617)
  • Larger job market (3,940 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $71,088)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Camas grew -8.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 21.3% growth in Seattle over the same period.

Camas, WA

+-8.8%

$71,341 (2024) → $65,079 (2025)

Seattle, WA

+21.3%

$62,710 (2019) → $76,095 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Camas or Seattle?

Seattle has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $79,002/year, compared to Camas at $67,565/year — a difference of $11,437 (16.93%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Camas and Seattle?

Camas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $32.49/hr while Seattle hygienists earn $37.98/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Camas and Seattle. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Camas = $62,910, Seattle = $71,088), job availability (4 vs 3,940 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $46,060 in Camas and $50,676 in Seattle. The Seattle 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