Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Dunwoody, GA: $47,259 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Dunwoody, GA earns a median $47,259/year (≈ $22.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Dunwoody's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $50,762 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Georgia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Dunwoody, Georgia, is projected to reach a median of $47,259, significantly lower than the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this occupation locally spans from $31,480 at the 10th percentile to $73,005 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse job market that includes both residential service roles and more lucrative commercial opportunities. The figures presented are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, incorporating regional price adjustments that take the local economy into account. Opportunities in commercial settings, particularly within data centers, often offer higher pay due to the specialized skills required compared to residential services, pointing to a segmented market structure in Dunwoody for HVAC professionals.
About the Dunwoody Market
Salary estimated from Georgia average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,480 | $15.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,414 | $17.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,259 | $22.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,453 | $28.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,005 | $35.10 |
Median Salary Position
21.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dunwoody
In Dunwoody, GA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,525 (2026 est.). At $47,259, the local median is 21.46% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Dunwoody: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dunwoody Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Dunwoody median: $47,259/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dunwoody Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $48,771 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -21.46% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Dunwoody, GA earn a median of $47,259 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.46% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.10% below the Georgia state average of $48,771.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dunwoody has a cost of living 6.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dunwoody, GA has a cost-of-living index of 93.1 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $47,259 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,762 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.41% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,358
2025 BLS Actual
$45,520
2026 Current Est.
$47,259
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Dunwoody (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,358 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,283 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,342 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,520 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,259 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,064 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dunwoody metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $36,358 (2019) to $45,520 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,064 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,706 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dunwoody 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $31,480 – $36,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,414 – $47,259 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,259 – $59,453 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,453 – $73,005 |
HACR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Job Market in Dunwoody
The local employment scene comprises around 10 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, indicating a niche workforce that may limit competition but also influences wage pressures. With a cost-of-living index of 93.1, the purchasing power in Dunwoody is slightly below the national average, which plays a crucial role in overall compensation expectations. Employers in the area such as large data center operations tend to offer more stable salaries, while residential service companies might provide commission-based structures that can inflate earnings for top performers, often pushing their take-home pay significantly higher. A variety of factors drive the pay dispersion in Dunwoody, from specialized roles in precision cooling systems for commercial facilities to the demand for residential heat pump installations influenced by tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). HVAC technicians considering employment opportunities in Dunwoody should focus on acquiring relevant certifications, such as NATE and brand-specific credentials, as well as exploring positions with commercial contractors to maximize their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Dunwoody, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $45,520 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Dunwoody metropolitan area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Dunwoody is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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