HVAC Tech Salary

San Antonio vs The Colony: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between San Antonio, TX and The Colony, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$57,787
$27.78/hr
The Colony, TX
$48,090
$23.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXThe Colony, TX
Median Salary$57,787$48,090
Hourly Rate$27.78$23.12
Entry Level (P10)$37,440$31,407
25th Percentile$45,912$37,497
75th Percentile$72,996$59,535
Top Earner (P90)$81,270$71,741
Total Employed3,1609
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($57,787) and The Colony ($48,090) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.San AntonioThe ColonyMedian Salary$57,787$48,090Entry Level (P10)$37,440$31,407Top Earner (P90)$81,270$71,741US Median $60,174

Verdict

San Antonio, TX offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to The Colony.

The salary gap between San Antonio and The Colony is $9,697 (20.16%). San Antonio's median is -3.97% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $43,830,The Colony spans $40,334. San Antonio has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$37,440
P25$45,912
Median$57,787
P75$72,996
P90 (Top)$81,270
The Colony
P10 (Entry)$31,407
P25$37,497
Median$48,090
P75$59,535
P90 (Top)$71,741

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($61,011 effective) pays 21.79% more than The Colony ($50,094 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $57,787
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $61,011
The Colony
Nominal: $48,090
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $50,094

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Higher median salary ($57,787/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,270)
  • Larger job market (3,160 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,011)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose The Colony if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in San Antonio grew 11.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -11.9% growth in The Colony over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+11.0%

$50,160 (2019) → $55,661 (2025)

The Colony, TX

+-11.9%

$52,583 (2024) → $46,321 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: San Antonio or The Colony?

San Antonio has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $57,787/year, compared to The Colony at $48,090/year — a difference of $9,697 (20.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and The Colony?

San Antonio heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $27.78/hr while The Colony hygienists earn $23.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to The Colony as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and The Colony. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $61,011, The Colony = $50,094), job availability (3,160 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in San Antonio vs The Colony?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $37,440 in San Antonio and $31,407 in The Colony. The San Antonio 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