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How much does AC compressor replacement cost in 2026?

Updated September 2026 · national figures from 5 published cost guides

Across the U.S., an HVAC company typically charges $800 to $2,900 to replace an AC compressor, with most jobs landing near $1,550. Prices run higher in high-wage states and metros and lower in rural areas — pick your state below for a local range.

Low end

$800

Most jobs

$1,550

High end

$2,900

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What a quote means (national)

Quote for this job	What it means
Under $480	Suspiciously low — ask what is excluded, and check licensing and insurance
$480 – $3,190	Fair price — inside the typical range (up to 10% over the top is still normal)
$3,190 – $5,075	Running high — get the quote itemized, and get a second one
Over $5,075	Ripoff territory — more than 1.75× the high end of the typical range

Same rules the QuoteJury checker uses on every quote.

What you're paying for

What is usually included: The new compressor, refrigerant recovery and recharge, a new filter drier, brazing, vacuum, startup and testing, in 4–8 hours.

What moves the price:

Parts warranty: many compressors are covered for 10 years, so only labor and refrigerant apply
System tonnage and refrigerant type
Whether a burnout requires flushing the line set
On out-of-warranty systems over 10 years old, a condenser replacement is often close in price

Tonnage and compressor type (single-stage vs two-stage vs variable speed), parts-warranty status (labor-only if covered), refrigerant recovery/recharge, and unit age (on old R-22 units a full condenser swap is often quoted instead).

AC compressor replacement cost by state

Typical range for each state, adjusted with BLS wage data for HVAC technicians. Index 1.00 = national average.

State	Typical range	Most jobs	Index
Alabama	$690 – $2,500	$1,350	0.86
Alaska	$960 – $3,450	$1,850	1.20
Arizona	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.98
Arkansas	$680 – $2,450	$1,300	0.85
California	$910 – $3,300	$1,750	1.14
Colorado	$860 – $3,150	$1,700	1.08
Connecticut	$950 – $3,450	$1,850	1.18
Delaware	$810 – $2,950	$1,600	1.02
District of Columbia	$1,150 – $4,100	$2,200	1.41
Florida	$760 – $2,750	$1,450	0.95
Georgia	$760 – $2,750	$1,450	0.94
Hawaii	$850 – $3,100	$1,650	1.07
Idaho	$750 – $2,750	$1,450	0.94
Illinois	$920 – $3,350	$1,800	1.15
Indiana	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.98
Iowa	$790 – $2,850	$1,550	0.98
Kansas	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.98
Kentucky	$770 – $2,800	$1,500	0.96
Louisiana	$760 – $2,750	$1,500	0.95
Maine	$820 – $2,950	$1,600	1.02
Maryland	$900 – $3,250	$1,750	1.12
Massachusetts	$970 – $3,500	$1,850	1.21
Michigan	$790 – $2,850	$1,550	0.99
Minnesota	$930 – $3,400	$1,800	1.17
Mississippi	$670 – $2,400	$1,300	0.84
Missouri	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.97
Montana	$790 – $2,850	$1,550	0.99
Nebraska	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.98
Nevada	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.98
New Hampshire	$910 – $3,300	$1,750	1.14
New Jersey	$930 – $3,350	$1,800	1.16
New Mexico	$710 – $2,550	$1,350	0.89
New York	$930 – $3,400	$1,800	1.16
North Carolina	$760 – $2,750	$1,450	0.95
North Dakota	$900 – $3,250	$1,750	1.13
Ohio	$800 – $2,900	$1,550	1.01
Oklahoma	$750 – $2,750	$1,450	0.94
Oregon	$840 – $3,050	$1,600	1.05
Pennsylvania	$800 – $2,900	$1,550	1.01
Rhode Island	$870 – $3,150	$1,700	1.09
South Carolina	$750 – $2,700	$1,450	0.94
South Dakota	$790 – $2,850	$1,550	0.98
Tennessee	$750 – $2,700	$1,450	0.93
Texas	$770 – $2,800	$1,500	0.96
Utah	$780 – $2,850	$1,500	0.97
Vermont	$830 – $3,000	$1,600	1.04
Virginia	$810 – $2,950	$1,550	1.01
Washington	$950 – $3,450	$1,850	1.19
West Virginia	$690 – $2,500	$1,350	0.86
Wisconsin	$800 – $2,900	$1,550	1.00
Wyoming	$750 – $2,750	$1,450	0.94

Frequently asked

Is $1,550 a fair price for AC compressor replacement in the U.S.?

Yes. $1,550 is right around what most homeowners in the U.S. pay. Anything from $480 to $3,190 is inside the normal range for an HVAC company; above $3,190 it is worth getting a second quote.

Why do quotes for the same job vary so much?

Parts warranty: many compressors are covered for 10 years, so only labor and refrigerant apply. System tonnage and refrigerant type. Company overhead matters too: a large company with trucks, dispatchers and a warranty department charges more than a one-person shop, and both can be honest prices.

When should I get a second quote?

Any time a quote lands above $3,190, or when the contractor cannot break it into parts, labor and fees. Ask for the itemized version, ask what would change the price, and confirm licensing and insurance. You can also paste the quote into the free QuoteJury checker for an instant second opinion.

Other HVAC jobs

Sources

Angi (2026): $800–$2,300 nationally
Forbes Home (2025): $900–$2,900 nationally
HomeAdvisor (2026): $800–$2,300 nationally
Bob Vila (2023): $800–$2,800 nationally
HomeGuide (2025): $1,800–$2,800 nationally
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 — median hourly wages by state and metro area

About these numbers. Ranges are typical market rates for a licensed, insured contractor, blended from published U.S. cost guides and adjusted with U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data (OEWS, May 2025) for each state and metro area. They are estimates, not a bid, appraisal or inspection. Real prices move with parts, access, permits and code requirements. The quote checker is AI-powered and labeled as such.