HVAC Tech Salary

Lansing vs Port Huron: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Lansing, MI and Port Huron, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lansing, MI
$59,611
$28.66/hr
Port Huron, MI
$58,631
$28.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIPort Huron, MI
Median Salary$59,611$58,631
Hourly Rate$28.66$28.19
Entry Level (P10)$39,482$39,273
25th Percentile$47,254$46,442
75th Percentile$76,428$73,288
Top Earner (P90)$92,198$86,546
Total Employed4906
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($59,611) and Port Huron ($58,631) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.LansingPort HuronMedian Salary$59,611$58,631Entry Level (P10)$39,482$39,273Top Earner (P90)$92,198$86,546US Median $60,174

Verdict

Lansing, MI offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Port Huron.

The salary gap between Lansing and Port Huron is $980 (1.67%). Lansing's median is -0.94% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lansing spans $52,716,Port Huron spans $47,273. Lansing has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lansing
P10 (Entry)$39,482
P25$47,254
Median$59,611
P75$76,428
P90 (Top)$92,198
Port Huron
P10 (Entry)$39,273
P25$46,442
Median$58,631
P75$73,288
P90 (Top)$86,546

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Port Huron ($62,909 effective) pays 0.25% more than Lansing ($62,754 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $59,611
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $62,754
Port Huron
Nominal: $58,631
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $62,909

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lansing if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,611/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,198)
  • Larger job market (490 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Port Huron if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,909)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Lansing grew -4.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 2.2% growth in Port Huron over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+-4.1%

$59,870 (2019) → $57,418 (2025)

Port Huron, MI

+2.2%

$55,247 (2024) → $56,474 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Lansing or Port Huron?

Lansing has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,611/year, compared to Port Huron at $58,631/year — a difference of $980 (1.67%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Port Huron?

Lansing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.66/hr while Port Huron hygienists earn $28.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lansing to Port Huron as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Port Huron. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $62,754, Port Huron = $62,909), job availability (490 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Lansing vs Port Huron?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,482 in Lansing and $39,273 in Port Huron. The Lansing 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