SOC 49-9021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 10 metro areas compared
The median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in San Diego, CA is $74,880 per year, 22.7% above the national median of $61,010.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in San Diego, CA is $74,880 per year, 22.7% above the national median of $61,010. Pay ranges from under $46,710 at the tenth percentile to more than $113,990 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $58,330 to $91,690.
Employment stands at 3,210, or 2.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Napa leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $84,570. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 310th of 671 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,710 | −23.4% |
| 25th | $58,330 | −4.4% |
| Median (50th) | $74,880 | +22.7% |
| 75th | $91,690 | +50.3% |
| 90th | $113,990 | +86.8% |
| Mean | $75,960 | +24.5% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Napa | $84,570 | 70 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $82,050 | 1,740 | |
| 3 | Santa Rosa | $79,510 | 560 | |
| 4 | Santa Maria | $78,640 | 260 | |
| 5 | San Francisco | $78,490 | 3,980 | |
| 6 | Santa Cruz | $78,330 | 210 | |
| 7 | Stockton | $75,710 | 390 | |
| 8 | El Centro | $75,220 | 120 | |
| 9 | San Luis Obispo | $75,160 | 200 | |
| 10 | Los Angeles | $73,830 | 10,720 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $74,880 buys what $67,642 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 10.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$74,880as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,642US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $74,880 a year, 22.7% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,710 to $113,990 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,210 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Napa, at $84,570.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $74,880, or $36.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $61,010, so pay in San Diego, CA is 22.7% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Diego, CA earns more than $113,990 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,710 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Napa, at $84,570 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,210 jobs in this occupation in San Diego, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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