HVAC Tech Salary

Kingston vs New York: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Kingston, NY and New York, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kingston, NY
$60,628
$29.14/hr
New York, NY
$76,921
$36.99/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKingston, NYNew York, NY
Median Salary$60,628$76,921
Hourly Rate$29.14$36.99
Entry Level (P10)$36,394$49,996
25th Percentile$47,224$60,509
75th Percentile$75,964$92,060
Top Earner (P90)$90,848$107,289
Total Employed26021,820
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kingston ($60,628) and New York ($76,921) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.KingstonNew YorkMedian Salary$60,628$76,921Entry Level (P10)$36,394$49,996Top Earner (P90)$90,848$107,289US Median $60,174

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Kingston.

The salary gap between Kingston and New York is $16,293 (26.87%). New York's median is +27.83% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kingston spans $54,454,New York spans $57,293. New York has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Kingston
P10 (Entry)$36,394
P25$47,224
Median$60,628
P75$75,964
P90 (Top)$90,848
New York
P10 (Entry)$49,996
P25$60,509
Median$76,921
P75$92,060
P90 (Top)$107,289

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($68,336 effective) pays 13.51% more than Kingston ($60,201 effective).

Kingston
Nominal: $60,628
CoL Index: 100.709
Adjusted: $60,201
New York
Nominal: $76,921
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $68,336

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kingston if…

  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,921/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,289)
  • Larger job market (21,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,336)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Kingston grew 19.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.6% growth in New York over the same period.

Kingston, NY

+19.3%

$48,960 (2019) → $58,397 (2025)

New York, NY

+20.6%

$61,420 (2019) → $74,091 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Kingston or New York?

New York has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $76,921/year, compared to Kingston at $60,628/year — a difference of $16,293 (26.87%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kingston and New York?

Kingston heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $29.14/hr while New York hygienists earn $36.99/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kingston to New York as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kingston and New York. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kingston = $60,201, New York = $68,336), job availability (260 vs 21,820 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Kingston vs New York?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $36,394 in Kingston and $49,996 in New York. The New York 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