HVAC Tech Salary

Richmond vs Tuckahoe: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between Richmond, VA and Tuckahoe, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Richmond, VA
$58,320
$28.04/hr
Tuckahoe, VA
$57,179
$27.49/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRichmond, VATuckahoe, VA
Median Salary$58,320$57,179
Hourly Rate$28.04$27.49
Entry Level (P10)$37,746$37,568
25th Percentile$46,573$44,751
75th Percentile$64,810$70,861
Top Earner (P90)$77,542$85,707
Total Employed2,70010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Richmond ($58,320) and Tuckahoe ($57,179) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.RichmondTuckahoeMedian Salary$58,320$57,179Entry Level (P10)$37,746$37,568Top Earner (P90)$77,542$85,707US Median $60,174

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Tuckahoe.

The salary gap between Richmond and Tuckahoe is $1,141 (2.00%). Richmond's median is -3.08% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Richmond spans $39,796,Tuckahoe spans $48,139. Tuckahoe has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

Richmond
P10 (Entry)$37,746
P25$46,573
Median$58,320
P75$64,810
P90 (Top)$77,542
Tuckahoe
P10 (Entry)$37,568
P25$44,751
Median$57,179
P75$70,861
P90 (Top)$85,707

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Richmond ($59,597 effective) pays 7.56% more than Tuckahoe ($55,406 effective).

Richmond
Nominal: $58,320
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $59,597
Tuckahoe
Nominal: $57,179
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $55,406

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,320/year)
  • Larger job market (2,700 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $59,597)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Tuckahoe if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($85,707)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in Richmond grew 13.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -2.8% growth in Tuckahoe over the same period.

Richmond, VA

+13.9%

$49,300 (2019) → $56,174 (2025)

Tuckahoe, VA

+-2.8%

$56,661 (2024) → $55,075 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: Richmond or Tuckahoe?

Richmond has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $58,320/year, compared to Tuckahoe at $57,179/year — a difference of $1,141 (2.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Richmond and Tuckahoe?

Richmond heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $28.04/hr while Tuckahoe hygienists earn $27.49/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Richmond and Tuckahoe. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Richmond = $59,597, Tuckahoe = $55,406), job availability (2,700 vs 10 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,746 in Richmond and $37,568 in Tuckahoe. The Richmond 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