HVAC Tech Salary

South Brunswick vs Vineland: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary (2026)

Compare heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries between South Brunswick, NJ and Vineland, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

South Brunswick, NJ
$64,520
$31.02/hr
Vineland, NJ
$67,315
$32.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSouth Brunswick, NJVineland, NJ
Median Salary$64,520$67,315
Hourly Rate$31.02$32.36
Entry Level (P10)$42,315$44,887
25th Percentile$50,439$49,098
75th Percentile$78,513$99,240
Top Earner (P90)$100,006$117,556
Total Employed7290
Side-by-side bar chart comparing South Brunswick ($64,520) and Vineland ($67,315) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries.South BrunswickVinelandMedian Salary$64,520$67,315Entry Level (P10)$42,315$44,887Top Earner (P90)$100,006$117,556US Median $60,174

Verdict

Vineland, NJ offers better overall compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Brunswick.

The salary gap between South Brunswick and Vineland is $2,795 (4.33%). Vineland's median is +11.87% compared to the US national median of $60,174.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in South Brunswick spans $57,691,Vineland spans $72,669. Vineland has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers.

South Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$42,315
P25$50,439
Median$64,520
P75$78,513
P90 (Top)$100,006
Vineland
P10 (Entry)$44,887
P25$49,098
Median$67,315
P75$99,240
P90 (Top)$117,556

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Vineland ($70,143 effective) pays 25.24% more than South Brunswick ($56,007 effective).

South Brunswick
Nominal: $64,520
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $56,007
Vineland
Nominal: $67,315
CoL Index: 95.968
Adjusted: $70,143

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose South Brunswick if…

  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Vineland if…

  • Higher median salary ($67,315/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($117,556)
  • Larger job market (290 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $70,143)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries in South Brunswick grew -21.3% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 57.7% growth in Vineland over the same period.

South Brunswick, NJ

+-21.3%

$79,006 (2024) → $62,146 (2025)

Vineland, NJ

+57.7%

$41,110 (2019) → $64,838 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers more: South Brunswick or Vineland?

Vineland has a higher median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary at $67,315/year, compared to South Brunswick at $64,520/year — a difference of $2,795 (4.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between South Brunswick and Vineland?

South Brunswick heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $31.02/hr while Vineland hygienists earn $32.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from South Brunswick to Vineland as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Consider more than just salary when comparing South Brunswick and Vineland. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: South Brunswick = $56,007, Vineland = $70,143), job availability (7 vs 290 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn in South Brunswick vs Vineland?

Entry-level (10th percentile) heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers earn $42,315 in South Brunswick and $44,887 in Vineland. The Vineland 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