HVAC Tech Salary

Casper vs Jackson: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Casper, WY and Jackson, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Casper, WY
$57,353
$27.57/hr
Jackson, WY
$50,253
$24.16/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCasper, WYJackson, WY
Median Salary$57,353$50,253
Hourly Rate$27.57$24.16
Entry Level (P10)$37,509$35,173
25th Percentile$43,752$39,779
75th Percentile$58,340$61,144
Top Earner (P90)$82,868$72,731
Total Employed1305
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Casper ($57,353) and Jackson ($50,253) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CasperJacksonMedian Salary$57,353$50,253Entry Level (P10)$37,509$35,173Top Earner (P90)$82,868$72,731US Median $60,174

Verdict

Casper, WY offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jackson.

The salary gap between Casper and Jackson is $7,100 (14.13%). Casper's median is -4.69% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Casper spans $45,359,Jackson spans $37,558. Casper has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Casper
P10 (Entry)$37,509
P25$43,752
Median$57,353
P75$58,340
P90 (Top)$82,868
Jackson
P10 (Entry)$35,173
P25$39,779
Median$50,253
P75$61,144
P90 (Top)$72,731

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Casper ($61,125 effective) pays 16.53% more than Jackson ($52,456 effective).

Casper
Nominal: $57,353
CoL Index: 93.829
Adjusted: $61,125
Jackson
Nominal: $50,253
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $52,456

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Casper if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,353/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,868)
  • Larger job market (130 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,125)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Jackson if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Casper grew 5.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.2% growth in Jackson over the same period.

Casper, WY

+5.4%

$52,420 (2019) → $55,243 (2025)

Jackson, WY

+-11.2%

$54,503 (2024) → $48,404 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Casper or Jackson?

Casper has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,353/year, compared to Jackson at $50,253/year — a difference of $7,100 (14.13%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Casper and Jackson?

Casper heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.57/hr while Jackson hygienists earn $24.16/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Casper and Jackson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Casper = $61,125, Jackson = $52,456), job availability (130 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,509 in Casper and $35,173 in Jackson. The Casper 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