HVAC Tech Salary

New Haven vs New London: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between New Haven, CT and New London, CT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New Haven, CT
$75,826
$36.45/hr
New London, CT
$73,439
$35.31/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew Haven, CTNew London, CT
Median Salary$75,826$73,439
Hourly Rate$36.45$35.31
Entry Level (P10)$42,608$51,837
25th Percentile$59,631$60,354
75th Percentile$95,720$92,220
Top Earner (P90)$100,533$112,062
Total Employed5505
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New Haven ($75,826) and New London ($73,439) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.New HavenNew LondonMedian Salary$75,826$73,439Entry Level (P10)$42,608$51,837Top Earner (P90)$100,533$112,062US Median $60,174

Verdict

New Haven, CT offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to New London.

The salary gap between New Haven and New London is $2,387 (3.25%). New Haven's median is +26.01% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New Haven spans $57,925,New London spans $60,225. New London has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

New Haven
P10 (Entry)$42,608
P25$59,631
Median$75,826
P75$95,720
P90 (Top)$100,533
New London
P10 (Entry)$51,837
P25$60,354
Median$73,439
P75$92,220
P90 (Top)$112,062

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New Haven ($72,520 effective) pays 6.55% more than New London ($68,062 effective).

New Haven
Nominal: $75,826
CoL Index: 104.559
Adjusted: $72,520
New London
Nominal: $73,439
CoL Index: 107.9
Adjusted: $68,062

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New Haven if…

  • Higher median salary ($75,826/year)
  • Larger job market (550 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $72,520)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Choose New London if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($112,062)
  • You prefer the Connecticut area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in New Haven grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 3.1% growth in New London over the same period.

New Haven, CT

+17.3%

$62,290 (2019) → $73,036 (2025)

New London, CT

+3.1%

$68,589 (2024) → $70,737 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: New Haven or New London?

New Haven has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $75,826/year, compared to New London at $73,439/year — a difference of $2,387 (3.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New Haven and New London?

New Haven heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $36.45/hr while New London hygienists earn $35.31/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from New Haven to New London as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing New Haven and New London. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New Haven = $72,520, New London = $68,062), job availability (550 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in New Haven vs New London?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $42,608 in New Haven and $51,837 in New London. The New London 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