HVAC Tech Salary

Kennewick vs Shoreline: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Kennewick, WA and Shoreline, WA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kennewick, WA
$74,623
$35.88/hr
Shoreline, WA
$71,417
$34.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKennewick, WAShoreline, WA
Median Salary$74,623$71,417
Hourly Rate$35.88$34.33
Entry Level (P10)$46,879$45,790
25th Percentile$56,219$55,254
75th Percentile$92,307$90,070
Top Earner (P90)$107,723$110,696
Total Employed5208
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kennewick ($74,623) and Shoreline ($71,417) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.KennewickShorelineMedian Salary$74,623$71,417Entry Level (P10)$46,879$45,790Top Earner (P90)$107,723$110,696US Median $60,174

Verdict

Kennewick, WA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Shoreline.

The salary gap between Kennewick and Shoreline is $3,206 (4.49%). Kennewick's median is +24.01% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kennewick spans $60,844,Shoreline spans $64,906. Shoreline has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Kennewick
P10 (Entry)$46,879
P25$56,219
Median$74,623
P75$92,307
P90 (Top)$107,723
Shoreline
P10 (Entry)$45,790
P25$55,254
Median$71,417
P75$90,070
P90 (Top)$110,696

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kennewick ($74,564 effective) pays 12.13% more than Shoreline ($66,496 effective).

Kennewick
Nominal: $74,623
CoL Index: 100.079
Adjusted: $74,564
Shoreline
Nominal: $71,417
CoL Index: 107.4
Adjusted: $66,496

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kennewick if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,623/year)
  • Larger job market (520 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $74,564)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Choose Shoreline if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($110,696)
  • You prefer the Washington area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Kennewick grew 40.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.8% growth in Shoreline over the same period.

Kennewick, WA

+40.1%

$51,290 (2019) → $71,877 (2025)

Shoreline, WA

+-8.8%

$75,408 (2024) → $68,789 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Kennewick or Shoreline?

Kennewick has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $74,623/year, compared to Shoreline at $71,417/year — a difference of $3,206 (4.49%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kennewick and Shoreline?

Kennewick heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $35.88/hr while Shoreline hygienists earn $34.33/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kennewick and Shoreline. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kennewick = $74,564, Shoreline = $66,496), job availability (520 vs 8 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $46,879 in Kennewick and $45,790 in Shoreline. The Kennewick 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