HVAC Tech Salary

Pompano Beach vs Tampa: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Pompano Beach, FL and Tampa, FL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Pompano Beach, FL
$53,161
$25.56/hr
Tampa, FL
$49,847
$23.97/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricPompano Beach, FLTampa, FL
Median Salary$53,161$49,847
Hourly Rate$25.56$23.97
Entry Level (P10)$34,484$39,077
25th Percentile$41,533$46,099
75th Percentile$68,046$60,972
Top Earner (P90)$82,400$74,268
Total Employed286,090
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Pompano Beach ($53,161) and Tampa ($49,847) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.Pompano BeachTampaMedian Salary$53,161$49,847Entry Level (P10)$34,484$39,077Top Earner (P90)$82,400$74,268US Median $60,174

Verdict

Pompano Beach, FL offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tampa.

The salary gap between Pompano Beach and Tampa is $3,314 (6.65%). Pompano Beach's median is -11.65% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Pompano Beach spans $47,916,Tampa spans $35,191. Pompano Beach has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Pompano Beach
P10 (Entry)$34,484
P25$41,533
Median$53,161
P75$68,046
P90 (Top)$82,400
Tampa
P10 (Entry)$39,077
P25$46,099
Median$49,847
P75$60,972
P90 (Top)$74,268

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Pompano Beach ($52,739 effective) pays 6.74% more than Tampa ($49,407 effective).

Pompano Beach
Nominal: $53,161
CoL Index: 100.8
Adjusted: $52,739
Tampa
Nominal: $49,847
CoL Index: 100.89
Adjusted: $49,407

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Pompano Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,161/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,400)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,739)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Choose Tampa if…

  • Larger job market (6,090 employed)
  • You prefer the Florida area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Pompano Beach grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 7.9% growth in Tampa over the same period.

Pompano Beach, FL

+-0.9%

$51,667 (2024) → $51,205 (2025)

Tampa, FL

+7.9%

$44,510 (2019) → $48,013 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Pompano Beach or Tampa?

Pompano Beach has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $53,161/year, compared to Tampa at $49,847/year — a difference of $3,314 (6.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Pompano Beach and Tampa?

Pompano Beach heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $25.56/hr while Tampa hygienists earn $23.97/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Pompano Beach to Tampa as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Pompano Beach and Tampa. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Pompano Beach = $52,739, Tampa = $49,407), job availability (28 vs 6,090 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in Pompano Beach vs Tampa?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $34,484 in Pompano Beach and $39,077 in Tampa. The Tampa 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