Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Texas: $56,623 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Texas's 109 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $56,623/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Texas sits at BEA RPP 96.0 (4% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,982 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Marcos ($59,126), Round Rock ($58,183), Austin ($57,779).
In Texas, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $56,623, which is approximately 5.9% lower than the national median of $60,174. The highest paying city in the state is San Marcos, where salaries can reach up to $61,385, while Tomball offers the lowest at $45,091, creating a salary gap of $16,294. This difference is primarily driven by factors such as the local demand for HVAC services, cost of living, and the concentration of commercial and residential projects. Texas has specific licensing requirements that mechanics and installers must meet, which include obtaining a state license and adhering to local regulations. The growing demand for skilled technicians is influenced by population growth, increased building activity, and the ongoing need for HVAC system maintenance and upgrades. The job market for this profession shows a promising growth rate of 3.82% annually, with a total of 33,063 individuals employed in the field across the state. Key cities projected for growth include Round Rock at $60,406, Austin at $59,986, and Dallas at $58,743. This positive trend indicates a stable outlook for those entering the profession.
Texas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Texas: $27,745 (lowest entry-level) to $94,159 (highest top earner)
Texas vs National Average
Texas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 5.9% less than the national median ($-3,551/year difference).
Texas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Texas range from $38,277 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,682 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $56,623. The Texas median is $3,551 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $27.22/hr. Approximately 33,063 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 109 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,758
2025 BLS Actual
$54,540
2026 Current Est.
$56,623
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Texas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,758 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,964 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,925 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,854 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,504 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,623 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,786 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Texas metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.2% from $45,758 (2019) to $54,540 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,786 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,028 (28.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Texas 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 Texas
Lowest Paying Cities in Texas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Tomball | $45,091 |
| Edinburg | $45,406 |
| Murphy | $45,453 |
| Horizon City | $45,761 |
| Stephenville | $45,960 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Texas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Texas cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| San Marcos | $61,385 | 96 | $63,943 |
| Round Rock | $60,406 | 96 | $62,923 |
| Beaumont | $55,942 | 90.046 | $62,126 |
| Odessa | $57,777 | 93.896 | $61,533 |
| Austin | $59,986 | 98.066 | $61,169 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Texas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,277 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $56,623 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,682 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Texas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 109 Cities in Texas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Marcos | $61,385 |
| 2 | Round Rock | $60,406 |
| 3 | Austin | $59,986 |
| 4 | Dallas | $58,743 |
| 5 | Fort Worth | $58,360 |
| 6 | New Braunfels | $58,289 |
| 7 | Houston | $58,132 |
| 8 | San Antonio | $57,787 |
| 9 | Odessa | $57,777 |
| 10 | Arlington | $57,557 |
| 11 | The Woodlands | $57,436 |
| 12 | Pasadena | $57,372 |
| 13 | Port Arthur | $57,225 |
| 14 | Midland | $57,008 |
| 15 | Beaumont | $55,942 |
| 16 | Sherman | $55,558 |
| 17 | Waco | $55,094 |
| 18 | Longview | $54,296 |
| 19 | Abilene | $53,586 |
| 20 | Irving | $51,531 |
| 21 | Plano | $51,361 |
| 22 | Garland | $51,094 |
| 23 | Corpus Christi | $51,050 |
| 24 | Frisco | $50,911 |
| 25 | Conroe | $49,869 |
| 26 | Richardson | $49,775 |
| 27 | Carrollton | $49,768 |
| 28 | Grand Prairie | $49,684 |
| 29 | Galveston | $49,320 |
| 30 | DeSoto | $49,284 |
| 31 | Missouri City | $49,235 |
| 32 | Lubbock | $49,167 |
| 33 | Amarillo | $49,157 |
| 34 | Sugar Land | $49,025 |
| 35 | Allen | $49,021 |
| 36 | League City | $48,977 |
| 37 | Cedar Park | $48,955 |
| 38 | Killeen | $48,950 |
| 39 | Georgetown | $48,939 |
| 40 | Baytown | $48,919 |
| 41 | Denton | $48,890 |
| 42 | Wylie | $48,884 |
| 43 | Cleburne | $48,876 |
| 44 | Mesquite | $48,870 |
| 45 | Pharr | $48,833 |
| 46 | McKinney | $48,827 |
| 47 | Pearland | $48,727 |
| 48 | Burleson | $48,694 |
| 49 | San Angelo | $48,654 |
| 50 | Pflugerville | $48,630 |
| 51 | Tyler | $48,624 |
| 52 | Cedar Hill | $48,610 |
| 53 | Wichita Falls | $48,565 |
| 54 | Temple | $48,548 |
| 55 | Flower Mound | $48,490 |
| 56 | Kyle | $48,459 |
| 57 | Del Rio | $48,404 |
| 58 | Coppell | $48,289 |
| 59 | Forney | $48,213 |
| 60 | Rowlett | $48,163 |
| 61 | Harlingen | $48,095 |
| 62 | The Colony | $48,090 |
| 63 | Anna | $48,072 |
| 64 | Huntsville | $48,018 |
| 65 | Victoria | $47,885 |
| 66 | Mansfield | $47,867 |
| 67 | College Station | $47,865 |
| 68 | Weatherford | $47,858 |
| 69 | Euless | $47,836 |
| 70 | Weslaco | $47,805 |
| 71 | Laredo | $47,786 |
| 72 | Hurst | $47,782 |
| 73 | Grapevine | $47,723 |
| 74 | Leander | $47,712 |
| 75 | Little Elm | $47,709 |
| 76 | Lancaster | $47,667 |
| 77 | North Richland Hills | $47,634 |
| 78 | Duncanville | $47,625 |
| 79 | Copperas Cove | $47,534 |
| 80 | Friendswood | $47,526 |
| 81 | Seguin | $47,327 |
| 82 | Rockwall | $47,263 |
| 83 | Brownsville | $47,254 |
| 84 | Corinth | $47,213 |
| 85 | Schertz | $47,172 |
| 86 | Corsicana | $47,132 |
| 87 | Texarkana | $47,105 |
| 88 | San Juan | $47,099 |
| 89 | Kingsville | $47,095 |
| 90 | Prosper | $47,083 |
| 91 | Sachse | $46,965 |
| 92 | Bastrop | $46,959 |
| 93 | Mission | $46,939 |
| 94 | Socorro | $46,878 |
| 95 | Eagle Pass | $46,790 |
| 96 | Keller | $46,721 |
| 97 | Lufkin | $46,668 |
| 98 | Haltom City | $46,664 |
| 99 | Nacogdoches | $46,664 |
| 100 | Benbrook | $46,626 |
| 101 | El Paso | $46,622 |
| 102 | University Park | $46,581 |
| 103 | McAllen | $46,524 |
| 104 | Fredericksburg | $46,289 |
| 105 | Stephenville | $45,960 |
| 106 | Horizon City | $45,761 |
| 107 | Murphy | $45,453 |
| 108 | Edinburg | $45,406 |
| 109 | Tomball | $45,091 |
More Texas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Texas 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 Texas
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 Texas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Texas?
How does Texas 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 Texas?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Texas?
Which Texas 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 Texas. State averages are employment-weighted across 109 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