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Regional Trade Reports/Texas / South Central/HVAC
Updated January 2026
Texas / South Central
HVAC

HVAC & Mechanical Talent Report: Texas & South Central

Semiconductor fabs, LNG expansion and Sun Belt migration are absorbing every senior PM the market produces.

Median mid (region)

$146k

5.1% YoY

Top-paying metro

Austin, TX

$192k

Candidates tracked

1,480

260 active

Metro wage spread

113%

4 metros

Regional mid compensation by role

Role-by-role compensation bands

RoleRegion lowRegion midRegion highTop metroValue metro
Mechanical Project Manager$125k$156k$187kAustin, TX ($163k)San Antonio, TX ($148k)
Senior Mechanical PM$147k$184k$221kAustin, TX ($192k)San Antonio, TX ($174k)
Mechanical Superintendent$117k$146k$175kAustin, TX ($153k)San Antonio, TX ($138k)
HVAC Service Manager$107k$133k$160kAustin, TX ($139k)San Antonio, TX ($126k)
HVAC Service Technician$77k$96k$115kAustin, TX ($100k)San Antonio, TX ($90k)
Chiller Technician$97k$121k$145kAustin, TX ($126k)San Antonio, TX ($114k)

Ranges reflect Gulfstream placement data (2024–Q1 2026) cross-checked against BLS OEWS. Mid = midpoint for 8–15 yr experience; low/high apply a ±15% envelope for junior and senior seniority.

Metros covered in this report

  • Houston, TX×1.00
  • Dallas, TX×1.02
  • Austin, TX×1.05
  • San Antonio, TX×0.95

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Suggested citation

Gulfstream Strategic Placements. "HVAC Comp Report — Texas / South Central 2026 | Gulfstream SP." Regional Trade Reports, January 2026. https://gulfstreamsp.com/reports/texas-south-central/hvac

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