HVAC Tech Salary

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

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

Greensboro, NC
$57,718
$27.75/hr
Rocky Mount, NC
$54,927
$26.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCRocky Mount, NC
Median Salary$57,718$54,927
Hourly Rate$27.75$26.41
Entry Level (P10)$37,489$37,420
25th Percentile$46,711$46,248
75th Percentile$69,840$64,444
Top Earner (P90)$75,333$70,007
Total Employed1,170150
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($57,718) and Rocky Mount ($54,927) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.GreensboroRocky MountMedian Salary$57,718$54,927Entry Level (P10)$37,489$37,420Top Earner (P90)$75,333$70,007US 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 Rocky Mount.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Rocky Mount is $2,791 (5.08%). 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,Rocky Mount spans $32,587. 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
Rocky Mount
P10 (Entry)$37,420
P25$46,248
Median$54,927
P75$64,444
P90 (Top)$70,007

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rocky Mount ($62,409 effective) pays 0.41% more than Greensboro ($62,153 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $57,718
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $62,153
Rocky Mount
Nominal: $54,927
CoL Index: 88.012
Adjusted: $62,409

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)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Rocky Mount if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,409)
  • 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 44.0% growth in Rocky Mount over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+29.4%

$42,950 (2019) → $55,594 (2025)

Rocky Mount, NC

+44.0%

$36,730 (2019) → $52,906 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Greensboro has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,718/year, compared to Rocky Mount at $54,927/year — a difference of $2,791 (5.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Rocky Mount?

Greensboro heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.75/hr while Rocky Mount hygienists earn $26.41/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Rocky Mount. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $62,153, Rocky Mount = $62,409), job availability (1,170 vs 150 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,489 in Greensboro and $37,420 in Rocky Mount. 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