HVAC Tech Salary

Deerfield Beach vs Orlando: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Deerfield Beach, FL and Orlando, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Deerfield Beach, FL
$52,894
$25.43/hr
Orlando, FL
$50,754
$24.40/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDeerfield Beach, FLOrlando, FL
Median Salary$52,894$50,754
Hourly Rate$25.43$24.40
Entry Level (P10)$34,645$37,499
25th Percentile$41,512$45,735
75th Percentile$67,335$62,285
Top Earner (P90)$81,986$76,773
Total Employed125,140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Deerfield Beach ($52,894) and Orlando ($50,754) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Deerfield BeachOrlandoMedian Salary$52,894$50,754Entry Level (P10)$34,645$37,499Top Earner (P90)$81,986$76,773US Median $60,174

Verdict

Deerfield Beach, FL offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Orlando.

The salary gap between Deerfield Beach and Orlando is $2,140 (4.22%). Deerfield Beach's median is -12.10% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Deerfield Beach spans $47,341,Orlando spans $39,274. Deerfield Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Deerfield Beach
P10 (Entry)$34,645
P25$41,512
Median$52,894
P75$67,335
P90 (Top)$81,986
Orlando
P10 (Entry)$37,499
P25$45,735
Median$50,754
P75$62,285
P90 (Top)$76,773

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Deerfield Beach ($52,474 effective) pays 4.86% more than Orlando ($50,044 effective).

Deerfield Beach
Nominal: $52,894
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $52,474
Orlando
Nominal: $50,754
CoL Index: 101.418
Adjusted: $50,044

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Deerfield Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,894/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,986)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,474)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Orlando if…

  • Larger job market (5,140 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Deerfield Beach grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 10.9% growth in Orlando over the same period.

Deerfield Beach, FL

+-0.9%

$51,408 (2024) → $50,948 (2025)

Orlando, FL

+10.9%

$44,070 (2019) → $48,887 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Deerfield Beach or Orlando?

Deerfield Beach has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $52,894/year, compared to Orlando at $50,754/year — a difference of $2,140 (4.22%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Deerfield Beach and Orlando?

Deerfield Beach heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $25.43/hr while Orlando hygienists earn $24.40/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Deerfield Beach to Orlando as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Deerfield Beach and Orlando. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Deerfield Beach = $52,474, Orlando = $50,044), job availability (12 vs 5,140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Deerfield Beach vs Orlando?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $34,645 in Deerfield Beach and $37,499 in Orlando. The Orlando 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