Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
SOC 49-9021 • View wages by state
The median annual wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers is $57,300, based on BLS OEWS 2023 data. The mean annual wage is $59,620, and an estimated 397,450 workers are employed in this occupation nationally. Between 2020 and 2023, pay rose +13.3% while consumer prices rose 17.7% — a real change of -3.8% (pay did not keep up with inflation). BLS projects employment will grow 8.1% between 2024 and 2034.
Wage Trend & Inflation Adjustment
How the national median wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers has moved across BLS OEWS release years, and what each year's wage is worth in 2023 dollars after adjusting for CPI inflation. "Real" change strips out inflation — the truest measure of whether pay is actually rising.
| Year | Median (nominal) | In 2023 $ (real) | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | $57,300 | $57,300 | 397,450 |
| 2022 | $51,390 | $53,505 | 374,770 |
| 2021 | $48,630 | $54,684 | 356,960 |
| 2020 | $50,590 | $59,560 | 344,020 |
Nominal change
+13.3%
Inflation (CPI)
+17.7%
Real change
-3.8%
Job Outlook (2024–2034 BLS projection)
The BLS Employment Projections program estimates how each occupation's employment will change over the coming decade, and how many job openings to expect each year (from both growth and the need to replace workers who leave).
Projected Growth
+8.1%
Much faster than average
Employment 2024
425,200
Projected 2034
459,700
Annual Openings
40,100
Typical entry-level education: Postsecondary nondegree award.
Highest-Paying Areas (2023)
Where Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earn the most, and how each area's median compares to the national median of $57,300. A positive premium means the area pays above the national rate.
| Area | Median Annual | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $78,750 | +37.4% | 340 |
| Alaska | $75,380 | +31.6% | 610 |
| Massachusetts | $73,700 | +28.6% | 7,410 |
| Northwest Illinois nonmetropolitan area | $71,990 | +25.6% | 350 |
| Southwest Minnesota nonmetropolitan area | $71,990 | +25.6% | 100 |
| Hawaii | $67,660 | +18.1% | 810 |
| West North Dakota nonmetropolitan area | $65,820 | +14.9% | 170 |
| Minnesota | $65,810 | +14.9% | 4,600 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $65,770 | +14.8% | 210 |
| Connecticut nonmetropolitan area | $65,080 | +13.6% | 70 |
Wage Distribution (National, 2023)
10th, 25th, 50th (median), 75th, and 90th percentile annual wages from BLS OEWS — the full spread, not just an average.
10th Pct
$37,270
25th Pct
$46,550
Median
$57,300
75th Pct
$71,120
90th Pct
$84,250
Related Occupations in Installation, Maintenance & Repair
Other occupations in the same SOC major group, ranked by national median wage.