HVAC Tech Salary

Mobile vs Northport: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Mobile, AL and Northport, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Mobile, AL
$47,302
$22.75/hr
Northport, AL
$46,519
$22.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMobile, ALNorthport, AL
Median Salary$47,302$46,519
Hourly Rate$22.75$22.36
Entry Level (P10)$35,723$30,251
25th Percentile$42,441$36,176
75th Percentile$59,927$57,426
Top Earner (P90)$69,750$69,359
Total Employed8205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Mobile ($47,302) and Northport ($46,519) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.MobileNorthportMedian Salary$47,302$46,519Entry Level (P10)$35,723$30,251Top Earner (P90)$69,750$69,359US Median $60,174

Verdict

Mobile, AL offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Northport.

The salary gap between Mobile and Northport is $783 (1.68%). Mobile's median is -21.39% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Mobile spans $34,027,Northport spans $39,108. Northport has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Mobile
P10 (Entry)$35,723
P25$42,441
Median$47,302
P75$59,927
P90 (Top)$69,750
Northport
P10 (Entry)$30,251
P25$36,176
Median$46,519
P75$57,426
P90 (Top)$69,359

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Mobile ($53,692 effective) pays 1.45% more than Northport ($52,923 effective).

Mobile
Nominal: $47,302
CoL Index: 88.098
Adjusted: $53,692
Northport
Nominal: $46,519
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $52,923

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Mobile if…

  • Higher median salary ($47,302/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($69,750)
  • Larger job market (820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,692)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Northport if…

  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Mobile grew 6.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 8.8% growth in Northport over the same period.

Mobile, AL

+6.6%

$42,760 (2019) → $45,562 (2025)

Northport, AL

+8.8%

$41,200 (2024) → $44,807 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Mobile or Northport?

Mobile has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $47,302/year, compared to Northport at $46,519/year — a difference of $783 (1.68%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Mobile and Northport?

Mobile heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $22.75/hr while Northport hygienists earn $22.36/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Mobile and Northport. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Mobile = $53,692, Northport = $52,923), job availability (820 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $35,723 in Mobile and $30,251 in Northport. The Mobile 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