Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in South Carolina: $56,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across South Carolina's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $56,802/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because South Carolina sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $62,079 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Greer ($57,168), Anderson ($57,110), North Charleston ($56,673).
In South Carolina, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected at $56,802 in 2026, which is approximately 5.6% lower than the national median of $60,174. The salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city being Greer at $59,352, while Sumter stands as the lowest at $49,196, creating a gap of $10,156. This disparity may be driven by differences in local demand, cost of living, and company size within these regions. The job market for mechanics and installers in South Carolina shows a growth rate of 3.82% annually, indicating steady demand for professionals in this field. State-specific factors influencing this demand include necessary licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that ensure skilled labor is well-regulated. As of 2026, there are 5,521 people employed in this occupation across 26 metro areas, reinforcing a solid job outlook within the state. Notable cities for employment opportunities include Anderson with an average salary of $59,292, North Charleston at $58,838, Mount Pleasant at $58,080, and Florence at $57,985, showcasing various prospects across multiple locations in South Carolina.
South Carolina Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in South Carolina: $35,669 (lowest entry-level) to $91,199 (highest top earner)
South Carolina vs National Average
South Carolina heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 5.6% less than the national median ($-3,372/year difference).
South Carolina Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in South Carolina range from $38,768 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $75,068 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,802. The South Carolina median is $3,372 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $27.31/hr. Approximately 5,521 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,825
2025 BLS Actual
$54,712
2026 Current Est.
$56,802
2019–2027 Growth
+31.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in South Carolina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,825 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,492 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,101 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,007 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,981 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,712 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Carolina metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 22.1% from $44,825 (2019) to $54,712 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,147 (31.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Carolina 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 South Carolina
Lowest Paying Cities in South Carolina
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in South Carolina
When adjusted for local cost of living, these South Carolina cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $57,985 | 86.774 | $66,823 |
| Greer | $59,352 | 91.5 | $64,866 |
| Anderson | $59,292 | 91.5 | $64,800 |
| North Charleston | $58,838 | 91.5 | $64,304 |
| Mount Pleasant | $58,080 | 91.5 | $63,475 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in South Carolina
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,768 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,802 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $75,068 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across South Carolina metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in South Carolina
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Greer | $59,352 |
| 2 | Anderson | $59,292 |
| 3 | North Charleston | $58,838 |
| 4 | Mount Pleasant | $58,080 |
| 5 | Florence | $57,985 |
| 6 | Greenville | $57,954 |
| 7 | Charleston | $57,610 |
| 8 | Hilton Head Island | $57,481 |
| 9 | Rock Hill | $57,010 |
| 10 | Spartanburg | $56,998 |
| 11 | Columbia | $56,821 |
| 12 | Aiken | $56,760 |
| 13 | Hanahan | $56,681 |
| 14 | Bluffton | $56,389 |
| 15 | Mauldin | $56,347 |
| 16 | Summerville | $56,044 |
| 17 | Simpsonville | $55,121 |
| 18 | Fort Mill | $55,095 |
| 19 | Goose Creek | $54,965 |
| 20 | Lexington | $54,066 |
| 21 | Myrtle Beach | $53,487 |
| 22 | Easley | $53,102 |
| 23 | Tega Cay | $52,809 |
| 24 | Clemson | $52,710 |
| 25 | Conway | $52,501 |
| 26 | Sumter | $49,196 |
More South Carolina Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in South Carolina 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.
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 South Carolina in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in South Carolina?
How does South Carolina 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 South Carolina?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in South Carolina?
Which South Carolina 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 South Carolina. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 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