HVAC Tech Salary

Henderson vs Reno: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Henderson, NV and Reno, NV. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Henderson, NV
$58,861
$28.30/hr
Reno, NV
$61,091
$29.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHenderson, NVReno, NV
Median Salary$58,861$61,091
Hourly Rate$28.30$29.37
Entry Level (P10)$38,181$46,445
25th Percentile$46,339$48,832
75th Percentile$75,342$76,231
Top Earner (P90)$91,234$93,402
Total Employed79760
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Henderson ($58,861) and Reno ($61,091) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.HendersonRenoMedian Salary$58,861$61,091Entry Level (P10)$38,181$46,445Top Earner (P90)$91,234$93,402US Median $60,174

Verdict

Reno, NV offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Henderson.

The salary gap between Henderson and Reno is $2,230 (3.79%). Reno's median is +1.52% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Henderson spans $53,053,Reno spans $46,957. Henderson has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Henderson
P10 (Entry)$38,181
P25$46,339
Median$58,861
P75$75,342
P90 (Top)$91,234
Reno
P10 (Entry)$46,445
P25$48,832
Median$61,091
P75$76,231
P90 (Top)$93,402

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Reno ($60,478 effective) pays 1.00% more than Henderson ($59,879 effective).

Henderson
Nominal: $58,861
CoL Index: 98.3
Adjusted: $59,879
Reno
Nominal: $61,091
CoL Index: 101.014
Adjusted: $60,478

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Henderson if…

  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Choose Reno if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,091/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($93,402)
  • Larger job market (760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,478)
  • You prefer the Nevada area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Henderson grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 1.4% growth in Reno over the same period.

Henderson, NV

+-16.0%

$67,487 (2024) → $56,695 (2025)

Reno, NV

+1.4%

$58,010 (2019) → $58,843 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Henderson or Reno?

Reno has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $61,091/year, compared to Henderson at $58,861/year — a difference of $2,230 (3.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Henderson and Reno?

Henderson heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.30/hr while Reno hygienists earn $29.37/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Henderson and Reno. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Henderson = $59,879, Reno = $60,478), job availability (79 vs 760 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $38,181 in Henderson and $46,445 in Reno. The Reno 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