HVAC Tech Salary

Columbus vs North Olmsted: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

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

Columbus, OH
$63,557
$30.55/hr
North Olmsted, OH
$59,608
$28.65/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHNorth Olmsted, OH
Median Salary$63,557$59,608
Hourly Rate$30.55$28.65
Entry Level (P10)$40,122$38,992
25th Percentile$48,358$46,524
75th Percentile$79,762$72,463
Top Earner (P90)$99,211$92,393
Total Employed3,0008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($63,557) and North Olmsted ($59,608) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.ColumbusNorth OlmstedMedian Salary$63,557$59,608Entry Level (P10)$40,122$38,992Top Earner (P90)$99,211$92,393US Median $60,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Columbus and North Olmsted is $3,949 (6.62%). Columbus's median is +5.62% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Columbus spans $59,089,North Olmsted spans $53,401. Columbus has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Columbus
P10 (Entry)$40,122
P25$48,358
Median$63,557
P75$79,762
P90 (Top)$99,211
North Olmsted
P10 (Entry)$38,992
P25$46,524
Median$59,608
P75$72,463
P90 (Top)$92,393

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($66,573 effective) pays 1.30% more than North Olmsted ($65,720 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $63,557
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $66,573
North Olmsted
Nominal: $59,608
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $65,720

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Columbus if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,557/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,211)
  • Larger job market (3,000 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,573)
  • You prefer the Ohio area and lifestyle

Choose North Olmsted 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 Columbus grew 20.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.5% growth in North Olmsted over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+20.4%

$50,840 (2019) → $61,218 (2025)

North Olmsted, OH

+11.5%

$51,487 (2024) → $57,415 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Columbus or North Olmsted?

Columbus has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $63,557/year, compared to North Olmsted at $59,608/year — a difference of $3,949 (6.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Columbus and North Olmsted?

Columbus heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $30.55/hr while North Olmsted hygienists earn $28.65/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Columbus to North Olmsted as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and North Olmsted. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $66,573, North Olmsted = $65,720), job availability (3,000 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Columbus vs North Olmsted?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $40,122 in Columbus and $38,992 in North Olmsted. The Columbus 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