HVAC Tech Salary

Little Rock vs Sherwood: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Little Rock, AR and Sherwood, AR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Little Rock, AR
$47,342
$22.77/hr
Sherwood, AR
$45,997
$22.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLittle Rock, ARSherwood, AR
Median Salary$47,342$45,997
Hourly Rate$22.77$22.11
Entry Level (P10)$36,207$29,530
25th Percentile$41,099$37,268
75th Percentile$55,824$58,235
Top Earner (P90)$62,491$70,967
Total Employed1,4707
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Little Rock ($47,342) and Sherwood ($45,997) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Little RockSherwoodMedian Salary$47,342$45,997Entry Level (P10)$36,207$29,530Top Earner (P90)$62,491$70,967US Median $60,174

Verdict

Little Rock, AR offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Sherwood.

The salary gap between Little Rock and Sherwood is $1,345 (2.92%). Little Rock's median is -21.32% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Little Rock spans $26,284,Sherwood spans $41,437. Sherwood has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Little Rock
P10 (Entry)$36,207
P25$41,099
Median$47,342
P75$55,824
P90 (Top)$62,491
Sherwood
P10 (Entry)$29,530
P25$37,268
Median$45,997
P75$58,235
P90 (Top)$70,967

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Little Rock ($52,977 effective) pays 0.09% more than Sherwood ($52,931 effective).

Little Rock
Nominal: $47,342
CoL Index: 89.364
Adjusted: $52,977
Sherwood
Nominal: $45,997
CoL Index: 86.9
Adjusted: $52,931

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Little Rock if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,342/year)
  • Larger job market (1,470 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,977)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Choose Sherwood if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($70,967)
  • You prefer the Arkansas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Little Rock grew 19.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 14.1% growth in Sherwood over the same period.

Little Rock, AR

+19.1%

$38,280 (2019) → $45,600 (2025)

Sherwood, AR

+14.1%

$38,838 (2024) → $44,305 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Little Rock or Sherwood?

Little Rock has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $47,342/year, compared to Sherwood at $45,997/year — a difference of $1,345 (2.92%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Little Rock and Sherwood?

Little Rock heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $22.77/hr while Sherwood hygienists earn $22.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Little Rock to Sherwood as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Little Rock and Sherwood. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Little Rock = $52,977, Sherwood = $52,931), job availability (1,470 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Little Rock vs Sherwood?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $36,207 in Little Rock and $29,530 in Sherwood. The Little Rock area offers higher starting salaries.
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