HVAC Tech Salary

Cincinnati vs Grove City: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

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

Cincinnati, OH
$61,387
$29.51/hr
Grove City, OH
$60,190
$28.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHGrove City, OH
Median Salary$61,387$60,190
Hourly Rate$29.51$28.93
Entry Level (P10)$39,206$40,349
25th Percentile$48,102$47,699
75th Percentile$77,424$73,870
Top Earner (P90)$95,078$89,033
Total Employed2,9507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($61,387) and Grove City ($60,190) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CincinnatiGrove CityMedian Salary$61,387$60,190Entry Level (P10)$39,206$40,349Top Earner (P90)$95,078$89,033US Median $60,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Grove City is $1,197 (1.99%). Cincinnati's median is +2.02% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cincinnati spans $55,872,Grove City spans $48,684. Cincinnati has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cincinnati
P10 (Entry)$39,206
P25$48,102
Median$61,387
P75$77,424
P90 (Top)$95,078
Grove City
P10 (Entry)$40,349
P25$47,699
Median$60,190
P75$73,870
P90 (Top)$89,033

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grove City ($66,362 effective) pays 3.10% more than Cincinnati ($64,367 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $61,387
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $64,367
Grove City
Nominal: $60,190
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $66,362

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cincinnati if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,387/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,078)
  • Larger job market (2,950 employed)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Grove City if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,362)
  • 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 Cincinnati grew 20.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Grove City over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+20.2%

$49,190 (2019) → $59,128 (2025)

Grove City, OH

+11.5%

$51,989 (2024) → $57,975 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $61,387/year, compared to Grove City at $60,190/year — a difference of $1,197 (1.99%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Grove City?

Cincinnati heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.51/hr while Grove City hygienists earn $28.93/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Grove City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $64,367, Grove City = $66,362), job availability (2,950 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,206 in Cincinnati and $40,349 in Grove City. The Grove City 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