HVAC Tech Salary

La Vergne vs Nashville: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between La Vergne, TN and Nashville, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

La Vergne, TN
$47,994
$23.08/hr
Nashville, TN
$59,444
$28.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLa Vergne, TNNashville, TN
Median Salary$47,994$59,444
Hourly Rate$23.08$28.57
Entry Level (P10)$33,421$45,981
25th Percentile$38,956$47,815
75th Percentile$59,796$70,353
Top Earner (P90)$72,460$89,921
Total Employed83,500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing La Vergne ($47,994) and Nashville ($59,444) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.La VergneNashvilleMedian Salary$47,994$59,444Entry Level (P10)$33,421$45,981Top Earner (P90)$72,460$89,921US Median $60,174

Verdict

Nashville, TN offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to La Vergne.

The salary gap between La Vergne and Nashville is $11,450 (23.86%). Nashville's median is -1.21% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in La Vergne spans $39,039,Nashville spans $43,940. Nashville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

La Vergne
P10 (Entry)$33,421
P25$38,956
Median$47,994
P75$59,796
P90 (Top)$72,460
Nashville
P10 (Entry)$45,981
P25$47,815
Median$59,444
P75$70,353
P90 (Top)$89,921

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Nashville ($61,704 effective) pays 18.02% more than La Vergne ($52,281 effective).

La Vergne
Nominal: $47,994
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $52,281
Nashville
Nominal: $59,444
CoL Index: 96.338
Adjusted: $61,704

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose La Vergne if…

  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Nashville if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,444/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,921)
  • Larger job market (3,500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,704)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in La Vergne grew 1.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 38.3% growth in Nashville over the same period.

La Vergne, TN

+1.4%

$45,591 (2024) → $46,228 (2025)

Nashville, TN

+38.3%

$41,410 (2019) → $57,257 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: La Vergne or Nashville?

Nashville has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,444/year, compared to La Vergne at $47,994/year — a difference of $11,450 (23.86%).

What is the hourly rate difference between La Vergne and Nashville?

La Vergne heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $23.08/hr while Nashville hygienists earn $28.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from La Vergne to Nashville as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing La Vergne and Nashville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: La Vergne = $52,281, Nashville = $61,704), job availability (8 vs 3,500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in La Vergne vs Nashville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $33,421 in La Vergne and $45,981 in Nashville. The Nashville 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