HVAC Tech Salary

Grand Rapids vs Mount Pleasant: 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 Mount Pleasant, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$59,365
$28.54/hr
Mount Pleasant, MI
$55,359
$26.62/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIMount Pleasant, MI
Median Salary$59,365$55,359
Hourly Rate$28.54$26.62
Entry Level (P10)$43,111$40,450
25th Percentile$48,308$46,177
75th Percentile$76,142$66,393
Top Earner (P90)$93,294$81,669
Total Employed1,9206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($59,365) and Mount Pleasant ($55,359) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Grand RapidsMount PleasantMedian Salary$59,365$55,359Entry Level (P10)$43,111$40,450Top Earner (P90)$93,294$81,669US 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 Mount Pleasant.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant is $4,006 (7.24%). 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,Mount Pleasant spans $41,219. Grand Rapids has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$43,111
P25$48,308
Median$59,365
P75$76,142
P90 (Top)$93,294
Mount Pleasant
P10 (Entry)$40,450
P25$46,177
Median$55,359
P75$66,393
P90 (Top)$81,669

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($62,132 effective) pays 4.60% more than Mount Pleasant ($59,398 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $59,365
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $62,132
Mount Pleasant
Nominal: $55,359
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $59,398

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,132)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Pleasant if…

  • 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 Mount Pleasant over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+1.4%

$56,390 (2019) → $57,181 (2025)

Mount Pleasant, MI

+2.2%

$52,163 (2024) → $53,322 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Grand Rapids has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,365/year, compared to Mount Pleasant at $55,359/year — a difference of $4,006 (7.24%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant?

Grand Rapids heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.54/hr while Mount Pleasant hygienists earn $26.62/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Mount Pleasant. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $62,132, Mount Pleasant = $59,398), job availability (1,920 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $43,111 in Grand Rapids and $40,450 in Mount Pleasant. 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