HVAC Tech Salary

North Providence vs Providence: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between North Providence, RI and Providence, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

North Providence, RI
$55,119
$26.49/hr
Providence, RI
$66,456
$31.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricNorth Providence, RIProvidence, RI
Median Salary$55,119$66,456
Hourly Rate$26.49$31.95
Entry Level (P10)$38,789$44,354
25th Percentile$45,040$50,735
75th Percentile$68,966$83,332
Top Earner (P90)$83,697$102,653
Total Employed61,930
Side-by-side bar chart comparing North Providence ($55,119) and Providence ($66,456) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.North ProvidenceProvidenceMedian Salary$55,119$66,456Entry Level (P10)$38,789$44,354Top Earner (P90)$83,697$102,653US Median $60,174

Verdict

Providence, RI offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to North Providence.

The salary gap between North Providence and Providence is $11,337 (20.57%). Providence's median is +10.44% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in North Providence spans $44,908,Providence spans $58,299. Providence has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

North Providence
P10 (Entry)$38,789
P25$45,040
Median$55,119
P75$68,966
P90 (Top)$83,697
Providence
P10 (Entry)$44,354
P25$50,735
Median$66,456
P75$83,332
P90 (Top)$102,653

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Providence ($65,298 effective) pays 19.06% more than North Providence ($54,845 effective).

North Providence
Nominal: $55,119
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $54,845
Providence
Nominal: $66,456
CoL Index: 101.773
Adjusted: $65,298

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose North Providence if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Providence if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,456/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($102,653)
  • Larger job market (1,930 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,298)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in North Providence grew -11.2% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 12.8% growth in Providence over the same period.

North Providence, RI

+-11.2%

$59,781 (2024) → $53,091 (2025)

Providence, RI

+12.8%

$56,740 (2019) → $64,011 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: North Providence or Providence?

Providence has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $66,456/year, compared to North Providence at $55,119/year — a difference of $11,337 (20.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between North Providence and Providence?

North Providence heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $26.49/hr while Providence hygienists earn $31.95/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing North Providence and Providence. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: North Providence = $54,845, Providence = $65,298), job availability (6 vs 1,930 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $38,789 in North Providence and $44,354 in Providence. The Providence 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