Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Friendswood, TX: $47,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Friendswood, TX earns a median $47,526/year (≈ $22.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Friendswood's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $49,506 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Friendswood, TX, the growth in heat pump installations and the adoption of IRA tax credits is significantly influencing the local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The projected median annual salary for this occupation in 2026 sits at $47,526, which is notably lower than the national median of $60,174. Salary estimates range from $33,829 at the 10th percentile to $72,853 at the 90th percentile, highlighting a substantial disparity in potential earnings based on experience, specialization, and employer type. These figures come from state-level data and regional price adjustments, indicating that local factors are at play in shaping the job market dynamics for skilled HVAC professionals in the area.
About the Friendswood Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,829 | $16.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,266 | $18.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,526 | $22.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,882 | $28.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,853 | $35.03 |
Median Salary Position
21.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Friendswood
In Friendswood, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,024 (2026 est.). At $47,526, the local median is 21.02% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Friendswood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Friendswood Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Friendswood median: $47,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Friendswood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,148 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -21.02% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Friendswood, TX earn a median of $47,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.02% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.30% below the Texas state average of $49,148.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Friendswood has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Friendswood, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $47,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $49,506 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,563
2025 BLS Actual
$45,777
2026 Current Est.
$47,526
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Friendswood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,563 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,959 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,488 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,559 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,993 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,966 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,777 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Friendswood metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $36,563 (2019) to $45,777 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,778 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Friendswood 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) | $33,829 – $39,266 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,266 – $47,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,526 – $59,882 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,882 – $72,853 |
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 Friendswood
Looking more closely at the job market, Friendswood has a modest number of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed—just eight in total. This limited workforce, combined with a cost-of-living index of 96, suggests that while living expenses are slightly below the national average, take-home pay may not stretch as far as in other areas. Employers that tend to offer higher pay include commercial HVAC contractors focused on industrial installations and large data centers which prioritize precision cooling systems. The variance in salaries can also stem from the specialization area, with advanced commercial work typically paying more than residential service roles. To maximize earning potential in Friendswood, technicians should consider obtaining relevant state certifications and pursuing additional qualifications, such as EPA Section 608 and NATE certifications, while also seeking opportunities in high-demand sectors like heat pump installation, which is fueled by current market incentives.
More salary data for Friendswood, TX:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Friendswood, TX
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Friendswood, TX
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Friendswood, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Friendswood, TX in 2026?
Is Friendswood, TX a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Friendswood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Friendswood?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Friendswood?
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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 $45,777 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Friendswood 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 Friendswood 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