HVAC Tech Salary

Duncanville vs San Antonio: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Duncanville, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Duncanville, TX
$47,625
$22.89/hr
San Antonio, TX
$57,787
$27.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDuncanville, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$47,625$57,787
Hourly Rate$22.89$27.78
Entry Level (P10)$30,336$37,440
25th Percentile$38,410$45,912
75th Percentile$60,125$72,996
Top Earner (P90)$73,197$81,270
Total Employed83,160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Duncanville ($47,625) and San Antonio ($57,787) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.DuncanvilleSan AntonioMedian Salary$47,625$57,787Entry Level (P10)$30,336$37,440Top Earner (P90)$73,197$81,270US Median $60,174

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Duncanville.

The salary gap between Duncanville and San Antonio is $10,162 (21.34%). San Antonio's median is -3.97% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Duncanville spans $42,861,San Antonio spans $43,830. San Antonio has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Duncanville
P10 (Entry)$30,336
P25$38,410
Median$47,625
P75$60,125
P90 (Top)$73,197
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$37,440
P25$45,912
Median$57,787
P75$72,996
P90 (Top)$81,270

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($61,011 effective) pays 22.98% more than Duncanville ($49,609 effective).

Duncanville
Nominal: $47,625
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $49,609
San Antonio
Nominal: $57,787
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $61,011

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Duncanville if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,787/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,270)
  • Larger job market (3,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,011)
  • 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 Duncanville grew -11.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.0% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Duncanville, TX

+-11.9%

$52,074 (2024) → $45,873 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+11.0%

$50,160 (2019) → $55,661 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Duncanville or San Antonio?

San Antonio has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,787/year, compared to Duncanville at $47,625/year — a difference of $10,162 (21.34%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Duncanville and San Antonio?

Duncanville heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $22.89/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $27.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Duncanville to San Antonio as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Duncanville and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Duncanville = $49,609, San Antonio = $61,011), job availability (8 vs 3,160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Duncanville vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $30,336 in Duncanville and $37,440 in San Antonio. The San Antonio 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