HVAC Tech Salary

Centerville vs Cleveland: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Centerville, OH and Cleveland, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Centerville, OH
$55,983
$26.91/hr
Cleveland, OH
$61,930
$29.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCenterville, OHCleveland, OH
Median Salary$55,983$61,930
Hourly Rate$26.91$29.78
Entry Level (P10)$39,344$38,682
25th Percentile$45,694$49,345
75th Percentile$68,224$77,286
Top Earner (P90)$81,201$96,963
Total Employed62,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Centerville ($55,983) and Cleveland ($61,930) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CentervilleClevelandMedian Salary$55,983$61,930Entry Level (P10)$39,344$38,682Top Earner (P90)$81,201$96,963US Median $60,174

Verdict

Cleveland, OH offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Centerville.

The salary gap between Centerville and Cleveland is $5,947 (10.62%). Cleveland's median is +2.92% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Centerville spans $41,857,Cleveland spans $58,281. Cleveland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Centerville
P10 (Entry)$39,344
P25$45,694
Median$55,983
P75$68,224
P90 (Top)$81,201
Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,682
P25$49,345
Median$61,930
P75$77,286
P90 (Top)$96,963

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cleveland ($65,937 effective) pays 6.83% more than Centerville ($61,723 effective).

Centerville
Nominal: $55,983
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $61,723
Cleveland
Nominal: $61,930
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,937

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Centerville if…

  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Cleveland if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,930/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,963)
  • Larger job market (2,610 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,937)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Centerville grew 11.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 16.9% growth in Cleveland over the same period.

Centerville, OH

+11.5%

$48,356 (2024) → $53,923 (2025)

Cleveland, OH

+16.9%

$51,030 (2019) → $59,651 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Centerville or Cleveland?

Cleveland has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $61,930/year, compared to Centerville at $55,983/year — a difference of $5,947 (10.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Centerville and Cleveland?

Centerville heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $26.91/hr while Cleveland hygienists earn $29.78/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Centerville and Cleveland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Centerville = $61,723, Cleveland = $65,937), job availability (6 vs 2,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,344 in Centerville and $38,682 in Cleveland. The Centerville 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