HVAC Tech Salary

Colorado Springs vs Louisville: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Colorado Springs, CO and Louisville, CO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Colorado Springs, CO
$60,617
$29.14/hr
Louisville, CO
$56,982
$27.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColorado Springs, COLouisville, CO
Median Salary$60,617$56,982
Hourly Rate$29.14$27.40
Entry Level (P10)$46,899$39,735
25th Percentile$54,888$46,148
75th Percentile$76,448$70,354
Top Earner (P90)$93,688$83,918
Total Employed9506
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Colorado Springs ($60,617) and Louisville ($56,982) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Colorado SpringsLouisvilleMedian Salary$60,617$56,982Entry Level (P10)$46,899$39,735Top Earner (P90)$93,688$83,918US Median $60,174

Verdict

Colorado Springs, CO offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Louisville.

The salary gap between Colorado Springs and Louisville is $3,635 (6.38%). Colorado Springs's median is +0.74% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Colorado Springs spans $46,789,Louisville spans $44,183. Colorado Springs has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Colorado Springs
P10 (Entry)$46,899
P25$54,888
Median$60,617
P75$76,448
P90 (Top)$93,688
Louisville
P10 (Entry)$39,735
P25$46,148
Median$56,982
P75$70,354
P90 (Top)$83,918

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Colorado Springs ($60,191 effective) pays 10.91% more than Louisville ($54,269 effective).

Colorado Springs
Nominal: $60,617
CoL Index: 100.707
Adjusted: $60,191
Louisville
Nominal: $56,982
CoL Index: 105
Adjusted: $54,269

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Colorado Springs if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,617/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,688)
  • Larger job market (950 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,191)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville if…

  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Colorado Springs grew 18.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -9.5% growth in Louisville over the same period.

Colorado Springs, CO

+18.9%

$49,110 (2019) → $58,387 (2025)

Louisville, CO

+-9.5%

$60,643 (2024) → $54,885 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Colorado Springs or Louisville?

Colorado Springs has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $60,617/year, compared to Louisville at $56,982/year — a difference of $3,635 (6.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Colorado Springs and Louisville?

Colorado Springs heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.14/hr while Louisville hygienists earn $27.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Colorado Springs to Louisville as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Colorado Springs and Louisville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Colorado Springs = $60,191, Louisville = $54,269), job availability (950 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Colorado Springs vs Louisville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $46,899 in Colorado Springs and $39,735 in Louisville. The Colorado Springs 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