HVAC Tech Salary

Carrboro vs Greensboro: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Carrboro, NC and Greensboro, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Carrboro, NC
$51,463
$24.74/hr
Greensboro, NC
$57,718
$27.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCarrboro, NCGreensboro, NC
Median Salary$51,463$57,718
Hourly Rate$24.74$27.75
Entry Level (P10)$33,960$37,489
25th Percentile$43,585$46,711
75th Percentile$62,299$69,840
Top Earner (P90)$73,971$75,333
Total Employed61,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Carrboro ($51,463) and Greensboro ($57,718) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CarrboroGreensboroMedian Salary$51,463$57,718Entry Level (P10)$33,960$37,489Top Earner (P90)$73,971$75,333US Median $60,174

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Carrboro.

The salary gap between Carrboro and Greensboro is $6,255 (12.15%). Greensboro's median is -4.08% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Carrboro spans $40,011,Greensboro spans $37,844. Carrboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Carrboro
P10 (Entry)$33,960
P25$43,585
Median$51,463
P75$62,299
P90 (Top)$73,971
Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$37,489
P25$46,711
Median$57,718
P75$69,840
P90 (Top)$75,333

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($62,153 effective) pays 13.04% more than Carrboro ($54,982 effective).

Carrboro
Nominal: $51,463
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $54,982
Greensboro
Nominal: $57,718
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $62,153

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Carrboro if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,718/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,333)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,153)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Carrboro grew 8.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.4% growth in Greensboro over the same period.

Carrboro, NC

+8.1%

$45,874 (2024) → $49,569 (2025)

Greensboro, NC

+29.4%

$42,950 (2019) → $55,594 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Carrboro or Greensboro?

Greensboro has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,718/year, compared to Carrboro at $51,463/year — a difference of $6,255 (12.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Carrboro and Greensboro?

Carrboro heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $24.74/hr while Greensboro hygienists earn $27.75/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Carrboro and Greensboro. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Carrboro = $54,982, Greensboro = $62,153), job availability (6 vs 1,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $33,960 in Carrboro and $37,489 in Greensboro. The Greensboro 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