HVAC Tech Salary

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

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

Lansing, MI
$59,611
$28.66/hr
Romulus, MI
$54,881
$26.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLansing, MIRomulus, MI
Median Salary$59,611$54,881
Hourly Rate$28.66$26.38
Entry Level (P10)$39,482$39,361
25th Percentile$47,254$45,197
75th Percentile$76,428$67,261
Top Earner (P90)$92,198$80,213
Total Employed4905
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lansing ($59,611) and Romulus ($54,881) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.LansingRomulusMedian Salary$59,611$54,881Entry Level (P10)$39,482$39,361Top Earner (P90)$92,198$80,213US 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 Romulus.

The salary gap between Lansing and Romulus is $4,730 (8.62%). 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,Romulus spans $40,852. 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
Romulus
P10 (Entry)$39,361
P25$45,197
Median$54,881
P75$67,261
P90 (Top)$80,213

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lansing ($62,754 effective) pays 6.57% more than Romulus ($58,885 effective).

Lansing
Nominal: $59,611
CoL Index: 94.991
Adjusted: $62,754
Romulus
Nominal: $54,881
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $58,885

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,754)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Romulus if…

  • 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 Romulus over the same period.

Lansing, MI

+-4.1%

$59,870 (2019) → $57,418 (2025)

Romulus, MI

+2.2%

$51,713 (2024) → $52,862 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Lansing has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $59,611/year, compared to Romulus at $54,881/year — a difference of $4,730 (8.62%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lansing and Romulus?

Lansing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.66/hr while Romulus hygienists earn $26.38/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lansing and Romulus. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lansing = $62,754, Romulus = $58,885), job availability (490 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $39,482 in Lansing and $39,361 in Romulus. 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