HVAC Tech Salary

Houma vs Shreveport: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Houma, LA and Shreveport, LA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houma, LA
$57,669
$27.72/hr
Shreveport, LA
$57,816
$27.80/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouma, LAShreveport, LA
Median Salary$57,669$57,816
Hourly Rate$27.72$27.80
Entry Level (P10)$35,013$36,010
25th Percentile$41,395$43,387
75th Percentile$61,101$61,821
Top Earner (P90)$71,477$75,087
Total Employed250500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houma ($57,669) and Shreveport ($57,816) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.HoumaShreveportMedian Salary$57,669$57,816Entry Level (P10)$35,013$36,010Top Earner (P90)$71,477$75,087US Median $60,174

Verdict

Shreveport, LA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Houma.

The salary gap between Houma and Shreveport is $147 (0.25%). Shreveport's median is -3.92% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houma spans $36,464,Shreveport spans $39,077. Shreveport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Houma
P10 (Entry)$35,013
P25$41,395
Median$57,669
P75$61,101
P90 (Top)$71,477
Shreveport
P10 (Entry)$36,010
P25$43,387
Median$57,816
P75$61,821
P90 (Top)$75,087

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Shreveport ($68,207 effective) pays 0.65% more than Houma ($67,764 effective).

Houma
Nominal: $57,669
CoL Index: 85.103
Adjusted: $67,764
Shreveport
Nominal: $57,816
CoL Index: 84.766
Adjusted: $68,207

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houma if…

  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Choose Shreveport if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,816/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($75,087)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,207)
  • You prefer the Louisiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Houma grew 23.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in Shreveport over the same period.

Houma, LA

+23.7%

$44,900 (2019) → $55,547 (2025)

Shreveport, LA

+27.9%

$43,530 (2019) → $55,689 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Houma or Shreveport?

Shreveport has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,816/year, compared to Houma at $57,669/year — a difference of $147 (0.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houma and Shreveport?

Houma heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.72/hr while Shreveport hygienists earn $27.80/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houma and Shreveport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houma = $67,764, Shreveport = $68,207), job availability (250 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $35,013 in Houma and $36,010 in Shreveport. The Shreveport area offers higher starting salaries.
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