HVAC Tech Salary

Greensboro vs Pinehurst: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Greensboro, NC and Pinehurst, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greensboro, NC
$57,718
$27.75/hr
Pinehurst, NC
$51,859
$24.94/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCPinehurst, NC
Median Salary$57,718$51,859
Hourly Rate$27.75$24.94
Entry Level (P10)$37,489$35,960
25th Percentile$46,711$45,014
75th Percentile$69,840$59,888
Top Earner (P90)$75,333$62,738
Total Employed1,170160
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($57,718) and Pinehurst ($51,859) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.GreensboroPinehurstMedian Salary$57,718$51,859Entry Level (P10)$37,489$35,960Top Earner (P90)$75,333$62,738US Median $60,174

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Pinehurst.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Pinehurst is $5,859 (11.30%). Greensboro's median is -4.08% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greensboro spans $37,844,Pinehurst spans $26,778. Greensboro has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$37,489
P25$46,711
Median$57,718
P75$69,840
P90 (Top)$75,333
Pinehurst
P10 (Entry)$35,960
P25$45,014
Median$51,859
P75$59,888
P90 (Top)$62,738

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($62,153 effective) pays 5.87% more than Pinehurst ($58,707 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $57,718
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $62,153
Pinehurst
Nominal: $51,859
CoL Index: 88.336
Adjusted: $58,707

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,718/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,333)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,153)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Pinehurst if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Greensboro grew 29.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.5% growth in Pinehurst over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+29.4%

$42,950 (2019) → $55,594 (2025)

Pinehurst, NC

+-2.5%

$51,240 (2024) → $49,951 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Greensboro or Pinehurst?

Greensboro has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,718/year, compared to Pinehurst at $51,859/year — a difference of $5,859 (11.30%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Pinehurst?

Greensboro heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.75/hr while Pinehurst hygienists earn $24.94/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Pinehurst. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $62,153, Pinehurst = $58,707), job availability (1,170 vs 160 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,489 in Greensboro and $35,960 in Pinehurst. The Greensboro 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