HVAC Tech Salary

Gettysburg vs Philadelphia: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Gettysburg, PA and Philadelphia, PA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gettysburg, PA
$59,701
$28.71/hr
Philadelphia, PA
$63,695
$30.63/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGettysburg, PAPhiladelphia, PA
Median Salary$59,701$63,695
Hourly Rate$28.71$30.63
Entry Level (P10)$47,362$44,887
25th Percentile$51,465$51,287
75th Percentile$69,998$77,947
Top Earner (P90)$75,028$99,418
Total Employed908,610
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gettysburg ($59,701) and Philadelphia ($63,695) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.GettysburgPhiladelphiaMedian Salary$59,701$63,695Entry Level (P10)$47,362$44,887Top Earner (P90)$75,028$99,418US Median $60,174

Verdict

Philadelphia, PA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Gettysburg.

The salary gap between Gettysburg and Philadelphia is $3,994 (6.69%). Philadelphia's median is +5.85% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gettysburg spans $27,666,Philadelphia spans $54,531. Philadelphia has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Gettysburg
P10 (Entry)$47,362
P25$51,465
Median$59,701
P75$69,998
P90 (Top)$75,028
Philadelphia
P10 (Entry)$44,887
P25$51,287
Median$63,695
P75$77,947
P90 (Top)$99,418

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gettysburg ($62,593 effective) pays 0.78% more than Philadelphia ($62,109 effective).

Gettysburg
Nominal: $59,701
CoL Index: 95.379
Adjusted: $62,593
Philadelphia
Nominal: $63,695
CoL Index: 102.554
Adjusted: $62,109

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gettysburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,593)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Choose Philadelphia if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,695/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($99,418)
  • Larger job market (8,610 employed)
  • You prefer the Pennsylvania area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Gettysburg grew 31.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.2% growth in Philadelphia over the same period.

Gettysburg, PA

+31.1%

$43,870 (2019) → $57,504 (2025)

Philadelphia, PA

+13.2%

$54,200 (2019) → $61,351 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Gettysburg or Philadelphia?

Philadelphia has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $63,695/year, compared to Gettysburg at $59,701/year — a difference of $3,994 (6.69%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gettysburg and Philadelphia?

Gettysburg heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.71/hr while Philadelphia hygienists earn $30.63/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gettysburg and Philadelphia. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gettysburg = $62,593, Philadelphia = $62,109), job availability (90 vs 8,610 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $47,362 in Gettysburg and $44,887 in Philadelphia. The Gettysburg 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