HVAC Tech Salary

Columbus vs North Ridgeville: 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 Ridgeville, OH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Columbus, OH
$63,557
$30.55/hr
North Ridgeville, OH
$59,906
$28.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricColumbus, OHNorth Ridgeville, OH
Median Salary$63,557$59,906
Hourly Rate$30.55$28.80
Entry Level (P10)$40,122$39,684
25th Percentile$48,358$47,124
75th Percentile$79,762$74,473
Top Earner (P90)$99,211$88,056
Total Employed3,0008
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Columbus ($63,557) and North Ridgeville ($59,906) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.ColumbusNorth RidgevilleMedian Salary$63,557$59,906Entry Level (P10)$40,122$39,684Top Earner (P90)$99,211$88,056US 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 Ridgeville.

The salary gap between Columbus and North Ridgeville is $3,651 (6.09%). 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 Ridgeville spans $48,372. 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 Ridgeville
P10 (Entry)$39,684
P25$47,124
Median$59,906
P75$74,473
P90 (Top)$88,056

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Columbus ($66,573 effective) pays 0.79% more than North Ridgeville ($66,049 effective).

Columbus
Nominal: $63,557
CoL Index: 95.469
Adjusted: $66,573
North Ridgeville
Nominal: $59,906
CoL Index: 90.7
Adjusted: $66,049

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 Ridgeville 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 Ridgeville over the same period.

Columbus, OH

+20.4%

$50,840 (2019) → $61,218 (2025)

North Ridgeville, OH

+11.5%

$51,744 (2024) → $57,702 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Columbus has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $63,557/year, compared to North Ridgeville at $59,906/year — a difference of $3,651 (6.09%).

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

Columbus heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $30.55/hr while North Ridgeville hygienists earn $28.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Columbus and North Ridgeville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Columbus = $66,573, North Ridgeville = $66,049), 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 Ridgeville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $40,122 in Columbus and $39,684 in North Ridgeville. 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