Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Galveston, TX: $49,320 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Galveston, TX earns a median $49,320/year (≈ $23.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Galveston's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $51,375 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Galveston, TX, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $49,320 for 2026, which reflects a significant gap when compared to the national median of $60,174. Local figures indicate a salary range of $31,578 (P10) to $76,331 (P90), illustrating the disparity driven by the structural divide between commercial and residential service sectors. Mechanics engaged in commercial HVAC operations, particularly those servicing data centers and industrial buildings, often benefit from more stable compensation packages, while those in residential services may experience more variability depending on commission structures, especially given the rising demand for heat pump installations and the implications of emerging refrigerants. The salary estimates here are based on 2025 BLS data, projected into 2026, and they paint a picture of a competitive yet differentiated job market in Galveston.
About the Galveston Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,578 | $15.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,163 | $18.34 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,320 | $23.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,244 | $29.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,331 | $36.70 |
Median Salary Position
18.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Galveston
In Galveston, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,753 (2026 est.). At $49,320, the local median is 18.04% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Galveston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Galveston Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Galveston median: $49,320/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Galveston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,172 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -18.04% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Galveston, TX earn a median of $49,320 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.04% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.30% above the Texas state average of $49,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Galveston 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.
Galveston, 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 $49,320 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,375 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,943
2025 BLS Actual
$47,505
2026 Current Est.
$49,320
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Galveston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,943 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,392 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,865 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,014 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,616 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,505 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,320 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,204 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Galveston metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $37,943 (2019) to $47,505 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,204 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,261 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Galveston 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) | $31,578 – $38,163 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,163 – $49,320 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,320 – $62,244 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,244 – $76,331 |
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 Galveston
The local job market shows only 10 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed, suggesting a tight employment landscape. Galveston's cost of living index is notably below the national average at 96, which means that the purchasing power of the take-home salary is relatively favorable compared to many other areas. Employers that tend to pay higher wages include commercial HVAC contractors servicing large facilities, data center operations with a need for precision control, and specialized refrigeration companies serving supermarkets. The significant pay difference in this field can stem from various factors, including specialization in specific technical skills, the demand for certification such as EPA Section 608 or NATE, and the commission structures prevalent in residential services. For those aiming to maximize their pay in Galveston, pursuing advanced certifications or focusing on commercial systems can provide better opportunities while staying updated with emerging technologies like EV charging and heat pumps can create additional demand.
More salary data for Galveston, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $47,505 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Galveston 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 Galveston 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