Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tullahoma, TN: $46,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Tullahoma, TN earns a median $46,430/year (≈ $22.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Tullahoma's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $50,577 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tullahoma, TN, the projected median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $46,430 in 2026, significantly lower than the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this occupation extends from $33,231 at the 10th percentile to $67,785 at the 90th percentile. These figures reflect estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local cost-of-living factors. While the salaries may be below the national average, local residential service companies often utilize commission structures that can influence earnings, particularly for high-performing technicians. This could create opportunities for skilled mechanics in Tullahoma, as the demand for HVAC services continues to evolve.
About the Tullahoma Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,231 | $15.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,138 | $17.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,856 | $27.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $67,785 | $32.59 |
Median Salary Position
22.84% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tullahoma
In Tullahoma, TN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,554 (2026 est.). At $46,430, the local median is 22.84% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Tullahoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tullahoma Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Tullahoma median: $46,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tullahoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,249 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -22.84% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Tullahoma, TN earn a median of $46,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.84% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.60% below the Tennessee state average of $50,249.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tullahoma has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tullahoma, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $46,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,577 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,720
2025 BLS Actual
$44,722
2026 Current Est.
$46,430
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tullahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,084 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,647 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,670 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,002 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,105 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,722 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tullahoma metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $35,720 (2019) to $44,722 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,484 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tullahoma 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) | $33,231 – $37,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,138 – $46,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,430 – $56,856 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,856 – $67,785 |
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 Tullahoma
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tullahoma is relatively small, with just four professionals currently employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index at 91.8, this implies that take-home pay goes further than in many other markets. Among local employers, residential service companies like Carrier dealers and multi-location franchises such as One Hour Heating & Air often provide the highest salaries due to their commission and spiff structures. The disparity between earnings can be attributed to specialization, where commercial HVAC and data center applications tend to command higher salaries, along with factors such as on-call rotations and state contractor licensing influencing pay. Looking to maximize earnings, technicians in Tullahoma should consider obtaining brand-specific certifications and pursuing opportunities in growing segments, including heat pump installations, which are seeing increased demand driven by tax credits and energy efficiency initiatives.
More salary data for Tullahoma, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Tullahoma, TN in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Tullahoma?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tullahoma?
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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 $44,722 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Tullahoma 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 Tullahoma 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