HVAC Tech Salary

Evansville vs New Albany: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Evansville, IN and New Albany, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Evansville, IN
$58,684
$28.22/hr
New Albany, IN
$57,316
$27.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEvansville, INNew Albany, IN
Median Salary$58,684$57,316
Hourly Rate$28.22$27.55
Entry Level (P10)$37,144$38,944
25th Percentile$46,198$45,986
75th Percentile$77,158$72,126
Top Earner (P90)$95,444$87,709
Total Employed4909
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Evansville ($58,684) and New Albany ($57,316) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.EvansvilleNew AlbanyMedian Salary$58,684$57,316Entry Level (P10)$37,144$38,944Top Earner (P90)$95,444$87,709US Median $60,174

Verdict

Evansville, IN offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to New Albany.

The salary gap between Evansville and New Albany is $1,368 (2.39%). Evansville's median is -2.48% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Evansville spans $58,300,New Albany spans $48,765. Evansville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Evansville
P10 (Entry)$37,144
P25$46,198
Median$58,684
P75$77,158
P90 (Top)$95,444
New Albany
P10 (Entry)$38,944
P25$45,986
Median$57,316
P75$72,126
P90 (Top)$87,709

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Evansville ($64,116 effective) pays 2.13% more than New Albany ($62,778 effective).

Evansville
Nominal: $58,684
CoL Index: 91.528
Adjusted: $64,116
New Albany
Nominal: $57,316
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $62,778

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Evansville if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,684/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($95,444)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,116)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose New Albany if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Evansville grew 18.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 11.9% growth in New Albany over the same period.

Evansville, IN

+18.4%

$47,730 (2019) → $56,525 (2025)

New Albany, IN

+11.9%

$49,354 (2024) → $55,207 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Evansville or New Albany?

Evansville has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $58,684/year, compared to New Albany at $57,316/year — a difference of $1,368 (2.39%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Evansville and New Albany?

Evansville heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.22/hr while New Albany hygienists earn $27.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Evansville to New Albany as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Evansville and New Albany. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Evansville = $64,116, New Albany = $62,778), job availability (490 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Evansville vs New Albany?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,144 in Evansville and $38,944 in New Albany. The New Albany 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