HVAC Tech Salary

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

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

Cleveland, OH
$61,930
$29.78/hr
Parma, OH
$61,392
$29.52/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCleveland, OHParma, OH
Median Salary$61,930$61,392
Hourly Rate$29.78$29.52
Entry Level (P10)$38,682$39,856
25th Percentile$49,345$47,869
75th Percentile$77,286$76,549
Top Earner (P90)$96,963$93,384
Total Employed2,61012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cleveland ($61,930) and Parma ($61,392) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.ClevelandParmaMedian Salary$61,930$61,392Entry Level (P10)$38,682$39,856Top Earner (P90)$96,963$93,384US 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 Parma.

The salary gap between Cleveland and Parma is $538 (0.88%). 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 Cleveland spans $58,281,Parma spans $53,528. Cleveland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cleveland
P10 (Entry)$38,682
P25$49,345
Median$61,930
P75$77,286
P90 (Top)$96,963
Parma
P10 (Entry)$39,856
P25$47,869
Median$61,392
P75$76,549
P90 (Top)$93,384

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Parma ($67,687 effective) pays 2.65% more than Cleveland ($65,937 effective).

Cleveland
Nominal: $61,930
CoL Index: 93.923
Adjusted: $65,937
Parma
Nominal: $61,392
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $67,687

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cleveland if…

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

Choose Parma if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $67,687)
  • 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 Cleveland grew 16.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in Parma over the same period.

Cleveland, OH

+16.9%

$51,030 (2019) → $59,651 (2025)

Parma, OH

+11.5%

$53,028 (2024) → $59,133 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Cleveland has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $61,930/year, compared to Parma at $61,392/year — a difference of $538 (0.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cleveland and Parma?

Cleveland heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.78/hr while Parma hygienists earn $29.52/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cleveland and Parma. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cleveland = $65,937, Parma = $67,687), job availability (2,610 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $38,682 in Cleveland and $39,856 in Parma. The Parma 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