HVAC Tech Salary

Grand Rapids vs Macomb Township: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Macomb Township, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$59,365
$28.54/hr
Macomb Township, MI
$59,060
$28.39/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIMacomb Township, MI
Median Salary$59,365$59,060
Hourly Rate$28.54$28.39
Entry Level (P10)$43,111$37,119
25th Percentile$48,308$45,133
75th Percentile$76,142$74,015
Top Earner (P90)$93,294$91,543
Total Employed1,92021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($59,365) and Macomb Township ($59,060) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Grand RapidsMacomb TownshipMedian Salary$59,365$59,060Entry Level (P10)$43,111$37,119Top Earner (P90)$93,294$91,543US Median $60,174

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Macomb Township.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Macomb Township is $305 (0.52%). Grand Rapids's median is -1.34% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $50,183,Macomb Township spans $54,424. Macomb Township has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$43,111
P25$48,308
Median$59,365
P75$76,142
P90 (Top)$93,294
Macomb Township
P10 (Entry)$37,119
P25$45,133
Median$59,060
P75$74,015
P90 (Top)$91,543

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Macomb Township ($63,369 effective) pays 1.99% more than Grand Rapids ($62,132 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $59,365
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $62,132
Macomb Township
Nominal: $59,060
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $63,369

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,365/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,294)
  • Larger job market (1,920 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Macomb Township if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,369)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Grand Rapids grew 1.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in Macomb Township over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+1.4%

$56,390 (2019) → $57,181 (2025)

Macomb Township, MI

+2.2%

$55,651 (2024) → $56,887 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Grand Rapids or Macomb Township?

Grand Rapids has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,365/year, compared to Macomb Township at $59,060/year — a difference of $305 (0.52%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Macomb Township?

Grand Rapids heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.54/hr while Macomb Township hygienists earn $28.39/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Macomb Township as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Macomb Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $62,132, Macomb Township = $63,369), job availability (1,920 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Grand Rapids vs Macomb Township?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $43,111 in Grand Rapids and $37,119 in Macomb Township. The Grand Rapids 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