HVAC Tech Salary

Denver vs Greeley: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

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

Denver, CO
$70,599
$33.94/hr
Greeley, CO
$61,170
$29.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDenver, COGreeley, CO
Median Salary$70,599$61,170
Hourly Rate$33.94$29.41
Entry Level (P10)$48,339$47,224
25th Percentile$58,270$51,830
75th Percentile$89,151$72,582
Top Earner (P90)$103,442$93,392
Total Employed4,360410
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Denver ($70,599) and Greeley ($61,170) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.DenverGreeleyMedian Salary$70,599$61,170Entry Level (P10)$48,339$47,224Top Earner (P90)$103,442$93,392US Median $60,174

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Denver and Greeley is $9,429 (15.41%). Denver's median is +17.32% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Denver spans $55,103,Greeley spans $46,168. Denver has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Denver
P10 (Entry)$48,339
P25$58,270
Median$70,599
P75$89,151
P90 (Top)$103,442
Greeley
P10 (Entry)$47,224
P25$51,830
Median$61,170
P75$72,582
P90 (Top)$93,392

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Denver ($66,740 effective) pays 9.30% more than Greeley ($61,063 effective).

Denver
Nominal: $70,599
CoL Index: 105.782
Adjusted: $66,740
Greeley
Nominal: $61,170
CoL Index: 100.176
Adjusted: $61,063

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Denver if…

  • Higher median salary ($70,599/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($103,442)
  • Larger job market (4,360 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,740)
  • You prefer the Colorado area and lifestyle

Choose Greeley 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 Denver grew 24.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.5% growth in Greeley over the same period.

Denver, CO

+24.1%

$54,810 (2019) → $68,001 (2025)

Greeley, CO

+3.5%

$56,900 (2019) → $58,919 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Denver or Greeley?

Denver has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $70,599/year, compared to Greeley at $61,170/year — a difference of $9,429 (15.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Denver and Greeley?

Denver heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $33.94/hr while Greeley hygienists earn $29.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Denver to Greeley as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Denver and Greeley. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Denver = $66,740, Greeley = $61,063), job availability (4,360 vs 410 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Denver vs Greeley?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $48,339 in Denver and $47,224 in Greeley. The Denver 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