HVAC Tech Salary

Dallas vs The Colony: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Dallas, TX and The Colony, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$58,743
$28.24/hr
The Colony, TX
$48,090
$23.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$58,743$48,090
Hourly Rate$28.24$23.12
Entry Level (P10)$39,738$31,407
25th Percentile$47,204$37,497
75th Percentile$73,252$59,535
Top Earner (P90)$83,716$71,741
Total Employed10,9109
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($58,743) and The Colony ($48,090) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.DallasThe ColonyMedian Salary$58,743$48,090Entry Level (P10)$39,738$31,407Top Earner (P90)$83,716$71,741US Median $60,174

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to The Colony.

The salary gap between Dallas and The Colony is $10,653 (22.15%). Dallas's median is -2.38% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $43,978,The Colony spans $40,334. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$39,738
P25$47,204
Median$58,743
P75$73,252
P90 (Top)$83,716
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$31,407
P25$37,497
Median$48,090
P75$59,535
P90 (Top)$71,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($56,982 effective) pays 13.75% more than The Colony ($50,094 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $58,743
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $56,982
The Colony
Nominal: $48,090
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $50,094

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,743/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($83,716)
  • Larger job market (10,910 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $56,982)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Colony if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Dallas grew 22.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.9% growth in The Colony over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+22.3%

$46,260 (2019) → $56,582 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+-11.9%

$52,583 (2024) → $46,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Dallas or The Colony?

Dallas has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $58,743/year, compared to The Colony at $48,090/year — a difference of $10,653 (22.15%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and The Colony?

Dallas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.24/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $23.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to The Colony as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $56,982, The Colony = $50,094), job availability (10,910 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Dallas vs The Colony?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,738 in Dallas and $31,407 in The Colony. The Dallas 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