HVAC Tech Salary

New York vs Poughkeepsie: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between New York, NY and Poughkeepsie, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

New York, NY
$76,921
$36.99/hr
Poughkeepsie, NY
$65,628
$31.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNew York, NYPoughkeepsie, NY
Median Salary$76,921$65,628
Hourly Rate$36.99$31.55
Entry Level (P10)$49,996$43,345
25th Percentile$60,509$51,734
75th Percentile$92,060$81,692
Top Earner (P90)$107,289$98,961
Total Employed21,8205
Side-by-side bar chart comparing New York ($76,921) and Poughkeepsie ($65,628) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.New YorkPoughkeepsieMedian Salary$76,921$65,628Entry Level (P10)$49,996$43,345Top Earner (P90)$107,289$98,961US Median $60,174

Verdict

New York, NY offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Poughkeepsie.

The salary gap between New York and Poughkeepsie is $11,293 (17.21%). New York's median is +27.83% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in New York spans $57,293,Poughkeepsie spans $55,616. New York has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

New York
P10 (Entry)$49,996
P25$60,509
Median$76,921
P75$92,060
P90 (Top)$107,289
Poughkeepsie
P10 (Entry)$43,345
P25$51,734
Median$65,628
P75$81,692
P90 (Top)$98,961

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, New York ($68,336 effective) pays 20.68% more than Poughkeepsie ($56,625 effective).

New York
Nominal: $76,921
CoL Index: 112.563
Adjusted: $68,336
Poughkeepsie
Nominal: $65,628
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $56,625

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose New York if…

  • Higher median salary ($76,921/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($107,289)
  • Larger job market (21,820 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,336)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Poughkeepsie if…

  • You prefer the New York 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 York grew 20.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -25.2% growth in Poughkeepsie over the same period.

New York, NY

+20.6%

$61,420 (2019) → $74,091 (2025)

Poughkeepsie, NY

+-25.2%

$84,474 (2024) → $63,213 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

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

New York has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $76,921/year, compared to Poughkeepsie at $65,628/year — a difference of $11,293 (17.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between New York and Poughkeepsie?

New York heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $36.99/hr while Poughkeepsie hygienists earn $31.55/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing New York and Poughkeepsie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: New York = $68,336, Poughkeepsie = $56,625), job availability (21,820 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $49,996 in New York and $43,345 in Poughkeepsie. The New York 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