HVAC Tech Salary

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

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

Cincinnati, OH
$61,387
$29.51/hr
Solon, OH
$55,975
$26.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCincinnati, OHSolon, OH
Median Salary$61,387$55,975
Hourly Rate$29.51$26.91
Entry Level (P10)$39,206$39,567
25th Percentile$48,102$45,677
75th Percentile$77,424$69,475
Top Earner (P90)$95,078$82,956
Total Employed2,9506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cincinnati ($61,387) and Solon ($55,975) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.CincinnatiSolonMedian Salary$61,387$55,975Entry Level (P10)$39,206$39,567Top Earner (P90)$95,078$82,956US 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 Solon.

The salary gap between Cincinnati and Solon is $5,412 (9.67%). 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,Solon spans $43,389. 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
Solon
P10 (Entry)$39,567
P25$45,677
Median$55,975
P75$69,475
P90 (Top)$82,956

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cincinnati ($64,367 effective) pays 4.30% more than Solon ($61,714 effective).

Cincinnati
Nominal: $61,387
CoL Index: 95.37
Adjusted: $64,367
Solon
Nominal: $55,975
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $61,714

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,367)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose Solon if…

  • 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 Solon over the same period.

Cincinnati, OH

+20.2%

$49,190 (2019) → $59,128 (2025)

Solon, OH

+11.5%

$48,348 (2024) → $53,915 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cincinnati has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $61,387/year, compared to Solon at $55,975/year — a difference of $5,412 (9.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cincinnati and Solon?

Cincinnati heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.51/hr while Solon hygienists earn $26.91/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cincinnati and Solon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cincinnati = $64,367, Solon = $61,714), job availability (2,950 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,206 in Cincinnati and $39,567 in Solon. The Solon 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