Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Georgia: $55,510 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Georgia's 40 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $55,510/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Georgia sits at BEA RPP 93.1 (7% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $59,624 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Dalton ($62,282), Sandy Springs ($57,118), Hinesville ($56,915).
In Georgia, the 2026 average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected at $55,509, which is 7.8% lower than the national median salary of $60,174. There is a significant salary range across the state, with Dalton emerging as the highest-paying city at $64,661, while Griffin ranks as the lowest at $45,367. This disparity is primarily driven by local demand for skilled technicians, cost of living variations, and the presence of major industry players in certain areas. Georgia requires state licensure for HVAC technicians, which involves specific training and examination. The demand for skilled professionals is continuously increasing, fueled by both residential and commercial needs for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning services. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.82% in job opportunities, the market is expected to provide a strong outlook for aspiring mechanics and installers. Top cities for salary in Georgia include Sandy Springs at $59,300, Hinesville at $59,089, Atlanta at $58,162, and Roswell at $56,842. Overall, the job market for this sector is promising, with ongoing services required for the installation and maintenance of HVAC systems across the state.
Georgia Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Georgia: $29,791 (lowest entry-level) to $91,915 (highest top earner)
Georgia vs National Average
Georgia heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 7.75% less than the national median ($-4,664/year difference).
Georgia Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Georgia range from $36,950 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $78,316 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $55,510. The Georgia median is $4,664 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $26.68/hr. Approximately 10,384 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 40 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,041
2025 BLS Actual
$53,467
2026 Current Est.
$55,510
2019–2027 Growth
+30.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Georgia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,041 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,654 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,991 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,466 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,467 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,510 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Georgia metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 21.4% from $44,041 (2019) to $53,467 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,589 (30.86%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Georgia metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Georgia
Lowest Paying Cities in Georgia
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Georgia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Georgia cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dalton | $64,661 | 89.844 | $71,970 |
| Sandy Springs | $59,300 | 93.1 | $63,695 |
| Hinesville | $59,089 | 93.933 | $62,905 |
| Roswell | $56,842 | 93.1 | $61,055 |
| Atlanta | $58,162 | 100.058 | $58,128 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Georgia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,950 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $55,510 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $78,316 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Georgia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 40 Cities in Georgia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dalton | $64,661 |
| 2 | Sandy Springs | $59,300 |
| 3 | Hinesville | $59,089 |
| 4 | Atlanta | $58,162 |
| 5 | Roswell | $56,842 |
| 6 | Gainesville | $52,580 |
| 7 | Rome | $51,327 |
| 8 | Savannah | $51,061 |
| 9 | Alpharetta | $49,268 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $49,236 |
| 11 | South Fulton | $49,211 |
| 12 | Brookhaven | $48,769 |
| 13 | Lawrenceville | $48,432 |
| 14 | Statesboro | $48,379 |
| 15 | Woodstock | $48,322 |
| 16 | Macon | $48,308 |
| 17 | Stockbridge | $48,250 |
| 18 | Augusta | $48,230 |
| 19 | Athens | $48,220 |
| 20 | Pooler | $48,182 |
| 21 | Warner Robins | $48,003 |
| 22 | Marietta | $47,885 |
| 23 | Peachtree Corners | $47,879 |
| 24 | Johns Creek | $47,672 |
| 25 | Albany | $47,658 |
| 26 | Evans | $47,308 |
| 27 | Douglasville | $47,262 |
| 28 | Dunwoody | $47,259 |
| 29 | Smyrna | $47,209 |
| 30 | McDonough | $47,009 |
| 31 | Newnan | $46,933 |
| 32 | Milton | $46,914 |
| 33 | Kennesaw | $46,562 |
| 34 | Cartersville | $46,457 |
| 35 | Peachtree City | $46,456 |
| 36 | Valdosta | $46,375 |
| 37 | Tucker | $46,339 |
| 38 | Canton | $46,229 |
| 39 | Columbus | $46,139 |
| 40 | Griffin | $45,367 |
More Georgia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Georgia cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Compare Cities in Georgia
View all comparisons →Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Georgia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Georgia?
How does Georgia heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Georgia?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Georgia?
Which Georgia city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Statewide salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Georgia. State averages are employment-weighted across 40 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
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