Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tega Cay, SC: $52,809 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Tega Cay, SC earns a median $52,809/year (≈ $25.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Tega Cay's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $57,715 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tega Cay, SC, is projected to reach a median of $52,809. This figure falls below the national median of $60,174, reflecting a notable difference in compensation. The local salary landscape spans from $37,610 at the 10th percentile to $76,828 at the 90th percentile, indicating opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals. With the increasing demand for heat pumps catalyzed by IRA tax credits, the job market in Tega Cay is set for growth, reshaping hiring needs for local employers. This shift not only highlights the potential for career advancement within this sector but also signals a competitive environment for skilled technicians.
About the Tega Cay Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,610 | $18.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,339 | $20.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,809 | $25.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,618 | $31.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,828 | $36.94 |
Median Salary Position
12.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tega Cay
In Tega Cay, SC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,218 (2026 est.). At $52,809, the local median is 12.24% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tega Cay: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tega Cay Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Tega Cay median: $52,809/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tega Cay Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $57,215 | -7.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -12.24% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Tega Cay, SC earn a median of $52,809 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.24% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.70% below the South Carolina state average of $57,215.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tega Cay has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tega Cay, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $52,809 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,715 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,628
2025 BLS Actual
$50,866
2026 Current Est.
$52,809
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tega Cay (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,628 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,179 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,544 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,845 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,773 | Actual |
| 2024 | $42,209 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,866 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,809 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,826 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tega Cay metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $40,628 (2019) to $50,866 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,826 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,198 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tega Cay 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) | $37,610 – $43,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,339 – $52,809 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,809 – $64,618 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,618 – $76,828 |
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 Tega Cay
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tega Cay stands at a modest scale, with only four workers currently employed in this field. However, the area's cost-of-living index of 91.5 suggests that wages here stretch further than in higher-cost regions, impacting overall take-home pay positively. Among local employers, residential service companies tend to pay higher wages, especially those leveraging commission structures that can significantly boost earnings. Technicians specializing in commercial HVAC or data center operations generally receive more stable salaries with less variability. The disparity between low and high pay is driven by factors such as specialization in emerging technologies, the significance of certifications like NATE, and the continuing rise in demand for heat pump installations. Technicians looking to optimize their earnings should consider aligning their skills with high-demand specialties and pursuing brand-specific certifications to enhance their marketability in Tega Cay.
More salary data for Tega Cay, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Tega Cay, SC in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Tega Cay?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tega Cay?
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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 $50,866 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Tega Cay 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 Tega Cay 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