HVAC Tech Salary

Los Angeles vs Victorville: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Los Angeles, CA and Victorville, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Los Angeles, CA
$72,818
$35.01/hr
Victorville, CA
$67,711
$32.56/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAVictorville, CA
Median Salary$72,818$67,711
Hourly Rate$35.01$32.56
Entry Level (P10)$45,952$43,829
25th Percentile$57,422$51,363
75th Percentile$82,346$85,833
Top Earner (P90)$107,516$104,953
Total Employed10,72030
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($72,818) and Victorville ($67,711) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Los AngelesVictorvilleMedian Salary$72,818$67,711Entry Level (P10)$45,952$43,829Top Earner (P90)$107,516$104,953US Median $60,174

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Victorville.

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Victorville is $5,107 (7.54%). Los Angeles's median is +21.01% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Los Angeles spans $61,564,Victorville spans $61,124. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$45,952
P25$57,422
Median$72,818
P75$82,346
P90 (Top)$107,516
Victorville
P10 (Entry)$43,829
P25$51,363
Median$67,711
P75$85,833
P90 (Top)$104,953

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,120 effective) pays 7.10% more than Victorville ($59,868 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $72,818
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,120
Victorville
Nominal: $67,711
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $59,868

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,818/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,516)
  • Larger job market (10,720 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,120)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Victorville if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Los Angeles grew 21.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -13.9% growth in Victorville over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+21.4%

$57,760 (2019) → $70,139 (2025)

Victorville, CA

+-13.9%

$75,741 (2024) → $65,220 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Los Angeles or Victorville?

Los Angeles has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $72,818/year, compared to Victorville at $67,711/year — a difference of $5,107 (7.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Los Angeles and Victorville?

Los Angeles heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $35.01/hr while Victorville hygienists earn $32.56/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Los Angeles to Victorville as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Victorville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $64,120, Victorville = $59,868), job availability (10,720 vs 30 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Los Angeles vs Victorville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $45,952 in Los Angeles and $43,829 in Victorville. The Los Angeles 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