HVAC Tech Salary

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

Grand Rapids, MI
$59,365
$28.54/hr
West Bloomfield, MI
$59,977
$28.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MIWest Bloomfield, MI
Median Salary$59,365$59,977
Hourly Rate$28.54$28.83
Entry Level (P10)$43,111$39,130
25th Percentile$48,308$46,956
75th Percentile$76,142$74,905
Top Earner (P90)$93,294$91,510
Total Employed1,92015
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($59,365) and West Bloomfield ($59,977) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Grand RapidsWest BloomfieldMedian Salary$59,365$59,977Entry Level (P10)$43,111$39,130Top Earner (P90)$93,294$91,510US Median $60,174

Verdict

Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield are closely matched on overall heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield is $612 (1.03%). West Bloomfield's median is -0.33% 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,West Bloomfield spans $52,380. West Bloomfield 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
West Bloomfield
P10 (Entry)$39,130
P25$46,956
Median$59,977
P75$74,905
P90 (Top)$91,510

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, West Bloomfield ($64,353 effective) pays 3.57% more than Grand Rapids ($62,132 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $59,365
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $62,132
West Bloomfield
Nominal: $59,977
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $64,353

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($93,294)
  • Larger job market (1,920 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose West Bloomfield if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,977/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,353)
  • 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 West Bloomfield over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+1.4%

$56,390 (2019) → $57,181 (2025)

West Bloomfield, MI

+2.2%

$56,515 (2024) → $57,770 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

West Bloomfield has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,977/year, compared to Grand Rapids at $59,365/year — a difference of $612 (1.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield?

Grand Rapids heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.54/hr while West Bloomfield hygienists earn $28.83/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and West Bloomfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $62,132, West Bloomfield = $64,353), job availability (1,920 vs 15 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $43,111 in Grand Rapids and $39,130 in West Bloomfield. 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