Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Braunfels, TX: $58,289 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in New Braunfels, TX earns a median $58,289/year (≈ $28.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in New Braunfels's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $60,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 18.6% above the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Braunfels, TX, have a projected median annual salary of $58,289 in 2026. This figure reflects a localized market dynamic influenced by the growth in heat pump installations and the impact of the IRA tax credit, reshaping hiring practices in the area. The salary range for these professionals is quite broad, spanning from $36,716 at the 10th percentile to $89,830 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, indicate that while the median salary falls slightly below the national average of $60,174, the cost of living index in New Braunfels is notably lower at 96, which can enhance the purchasing power for residents working in this field. As employers adapt to the increasing demand for energy-efficient solutions, the local job market remains promising for emerging HVAC technicians.
About the New Braunfels Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,716 | $17.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,784 | $21.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,289 | $28.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,199 | $35.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,830 | $43.19 |
Median Salary Position
3.13% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Braunfels
In New Braunfels, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,114 (2026 est.). At $58,289, the local median is 3.13% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Braunfels: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Braunfels Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
New Braunfels median: $58,289/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Braunfels Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,147 | +18.60% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.13% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in New Braunfels, TX earn a median of $58,289 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.13% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 18.60% above the Texas state average of $49,147.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Braunfels 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.
New Braunfels, 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 $58,289 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,718 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,843
2025 BLS Actual
$56,144
2026 Current Est.
$58,289
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Braunfels (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,843 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,555 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,751 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,291 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,684 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,289 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,515 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Braunfels metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,843 (2019) to $56,144 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,515 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,672 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Braunfels 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) | $36,716 – $44,784 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,784 – $58,289 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,289 – $73,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,199 – $89,830 |
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 New Braunfels
Currently, New Braunfels employs 15 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, suggesting a stable but competitive landscape for job seekers. The relatively low cost of living allows for better take-home pay, although the local compensation landscape varies significantly based on specialization and employer type. Companies that focus on residential services, like Carrier dealers or franchises such as One Hour Heating & Air, often offer commission structures that can lead to higher earnings, especially for those willing to embrace high-volume sales. Conversely, commercial HVAC contractors provide salaried positions that may come with less variability in pay but often include benefits and overtime opportunities. The disparity in earnings can be driven by factors such as specialization in data center precision cooling, state licensing, and certifications like EPA Section 608 and NATE. For those looking to maximize their pay within New Braunfels, branching into commercial HVAC or pursuing niche specialties can offer substantial financial rewards, particularly as demand for heat pump installations continues to surge.
More salary data for New Braunfels, TX:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in New Braunfels, TX
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Braunfels, TX
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Braunfels, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in New Braunfels, TX in 2026?
Is New Braunfels, 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 New Braunfels?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New Braunfels?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in New Braunfels?
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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 $56,144 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the New Braunfels 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 New Braunfels 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