HVAC Tech Salary

Owasso vs Tulsa: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Owasso, OK and Tulsa, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Owasso, OK
$49,542
$23.82/hr
Tulsa, OK
$57,945
$27.87/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricOwasso, OKTulsa, OK
Median Salary$49,542$57,945
Hourly Rate$23.82$27.87
Entry Level (P10)$32,079$36,661
25th Percentile$38,426$43,585
75th Percentile$61,060$71,891
Top Earner (P90)$73,706$77,316
Total Employed91,620
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Owasso ($49,542) and Tulsa ($57,945) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.OwassoTulsaMedian Salary$49,542$57,945Entry Level (P10)$32,079$36,661Top Earner (P90)$73,706$77,316US Median $60,174

Verdict

Tulsa, OK offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Owasso.

The salary gap between Owasso and Tulsa is $8,403 (16.96%). Tulsa's median is -3.70% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Owasso spans $41,627,Tulsa spans $40,655. Owasso has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Owasso
P10 (Entry)$32,079
P25$38,426
Median$49,542
P75$61,060
P90 (Top)$73,706
Tulsa
P10 (Entry)$36,661
P25$43,585
Median$57,945
P75$71,891
P90 (Top)$77,316

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tulsa ($64,951 effective) pays 16.55% more than Owasso ($55,728 effective).

Owasso
Nominal: $49,542
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $55,728
Tulsa
Nominal: $57,945
CoL Index: 89.214
Adjusted: $64,951

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Owasso if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Tulsa if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,945/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($77,316)
  • Larger job market (1,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,951)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Owasso grew 5.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.3% growth in Tulsa over the same period.

Owasso, OK

+5.9%

$45,065 (2024) → $47,719 (2025)

Tulsa, OK

+33.3%

$41,870 (2019) → $55,813 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Owasso or Tulsa?

Tulsa has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,945/year, compared to Owasso at $49,542/year — a difference of $8,403 (16.96%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Owasso and Tulsa?

Owasso heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $23.82/hr while Tulsa hygienists earn $27.87/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Owasso and Tulsa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Owasso = $55,728, Tulsa = $64,951), job availability (9 vs 1,620 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $32,079 in Owasso and $36,661 in Tulsa. The Tulsa 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