HVAC Tech Salary

Kiryas Joel vs Rochester: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Kiryas Joel, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kiryas Joel, NY
$64,632
$31.06/hr
Rochester, NY
$62,699
$30.14/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKiryas Joel, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$64,632$62,699
Hourly Rate$31.06$30.14
Entry Level (P10)$42,776$45,231
25th Percentile$53,763$50,193
75th Percentile$79,219$77,937
Top Earner (P90)$91,626$89,940
Total Employed1,1501,850
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kiryas Joel ($64,632) and Rochester ($62,699) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Kiryas JoelRochesterMedian Salary$64,632$62,699Entry Level (P10)$42,776$45,231Top Earner (P90)$91,626$89,940US Median $60,174

Verdict

Kiryas Joel, NY offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Kiryas Joel and Rochester is $1,933 (3.08%). Kiryas Joel's median is +7.41% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kiryas Joel spans $48,850,Rochester spans $44,709. Kiryas Joel has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$42,776
P25$53,763
Median$64,632
P75$79,219
P90 (Top)$91,626
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$45,231
P25$50,193
Median$62,699
P75$77,937
P90 (Top)$89,940

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($64,615 effective) pays 9.39% more than Kiryas Joel ($59,067 effective).

Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $64,632
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $59,067
Rochester
Nominal: $62,699
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $64,615

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • Higher median salary ($64,632/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,626)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (1,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,615)
  • 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 Kiryas Joel grew -0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.9% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Kiryas Joel, NY

+-0.5%

$62,550 (2024) → $62,254 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+27.9%

$47,230 (2019) → $60,392 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Kiryas Joel or Rochester?

Kiryas Joel has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $64,632/year, compared to Rochester at $62,699/year — a difference of $1,933 (3.08%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kiryas Joel and Rochester?

Kiryas Joel heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $31.06/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $30.14/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kiryas Joel to Rochester as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kiryas Joel and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kiryas Joel = $59,067, Rochester = $64,615), job availability (1,150 vs 1,850 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Kiryas Joel vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $42,776 in Kiryas Joel and $45,231 in Rochester. The Rochester 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