Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
In San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $72,180 at the median — $34.7 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $105K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 111.89), so that salary is closer to $64,510 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $3,001/month — about 63.7% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $72K get you in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
About heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $72K.Top earners bring in $105K or more - a $58K spread from bottom to top.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $84K | +40% | 790 |
| District of Columbia | $83K | +39% | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +29% | 7,960 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +24% | 4,440 |
| Minnesota | $73K | +23% | 5,190 |
| Illinois | $72K | +20% | 8,510 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +17% | 10,680 |
| Washington | $68K | +13% | 7,090 |
| North Dakota | $67K | +12% | 1,100 |
| New York | $67K | +11% | 22,710 |
| California | $65K | +9% | 34,020 |
| Maryland | $65K | +9% | 6,380 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | +8% | 2,120 |
| Hawaii | $64K | +7% | 1,110 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +6% | 1,320 |
Track heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA?
The median is $72,180 a year - that works out to about $34.7 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,390, and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can clear $104,940. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $72K enough to live in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,691/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $3,001/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 64% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary go in San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad?
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad has a Regional Price Parity of 111.89 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary is worth about $64,510 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.