Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer Salary in 2026
How Much Do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Make?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn a median annual salary of $59,810 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $39,130 at the 10th percentile to $91,020 at the 90th percentile — a range of $51,890. The highest-paying state is Alaska at $83,660.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39,130 |
| 25th percentile | $47,850 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 |
| 75th percentile | $74,820 |
| 90th percentile | $91,020 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaskatop | $83,660 |
| District of Columbia | $83,390 |
| Massachusetts | $76,990 |
| Connecticut | $73,910 |
| Minnesota | $73,390 |
| Illinois | $71,620 |
| New Jersey | $69,800 |
| Washington | $67,630 |
| North Dakota | $66,770 |
| New York | $66,670 |
| California | $65,290 |
| Maryland | $65,000 |
| New Hampshire | $64,410 |
| Hawaii | $63,780 |
| Rhode Island | $63,580 |
| Colorado | $63,420 |
| Oregon | $62,740 |
| Maine | $62,130 |
| Wisconsin | $62,030 |
| Pennsylvania | $61,120 |
| Virginia | $60,630 |
| Ohio | $60,490 |
| Missouri | $60,330 |
| Indiana | $60,310 |
| Vermont | $60,170 |
| Michigan | $60,090 |
| Delaware | $59,940 |
| Nebraska | $59,690 |
| Iowa | $59,490 |
| South Dakota | $59,460 |
| Nevada | $59,230 |
| Kentucky | $58,880 |
| Montana | $58,600 |
| Kansas | $56,750 |
| Arizona | $56,580 |
| Utah | $56,200 |
| South Carolina | $55,260 |
| Georgia | $55,020 |
| New Mexico | $55,020 |
| Texas | $54,050 |
| Louisiana | $53,510 |
| Idaho | $52,730 |
| North Carolina | $51,940 |
| Tennessee | $51,480 |
| Oklahoma | $50,920 |
| Wyoming | $50,920 |
| Florida | $50,580 |
| Alabama | $49,290 |
| Mississippi | $47,270 |
| Arkansas | $47,240 |
| West Virginia | $46,040 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$39,130 – $47,850 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$59,810 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$74,820 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $91,020+ |
How to Earn More as a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Anchorage, AK earn $96,610 — $36,800 above the national median. Earning an additional certification or completing a bachelor's degree can push your salary from the median toward the 75th percentile. Reaching the 75th percentile ($74,820) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installer Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerthis career | $59,810 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $102,320 |
| Boilermaker | $73,340 |
| Insulation Workers, Floor, Ceiling, and Wall | $48,680 |
| Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitter | $62,970 |
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SOC: 49-9021.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.