Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Franklin, WI: $41,122 (2026)
Quick Answer:New heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers entering the Franklin, WI job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $41,122 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 49-9021, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Franklin's local price level (BEA RPP 93.4 — 7% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $44,028 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($58,161) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those entering the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installer field in Franklin, Wisconsin, can expect a starting salary of approximately $41,122. This figure is notably lower than the city’s median annual salary of $58,161. However, new graduates should be aware that there is a pathway for growth in these early years, with salaries rising to around $46,375 (P25) and eventually approaching the median salary with experience and skill development. Given Franklin’s cost of living index of 93.4—below the national average—this starting pay can offer a reasonable living, making the area a favorable job market for newcomers in this trade.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Franklin
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers in Franklin, WI typically start between $41,122 and $46,375 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $47,276 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $58,161 — 3.35% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average hvac program cost in Wisconsin of $14,000 represents just 34.05% of the starting heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay ($41,122/year) in Franklin. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates based on HVAC Excellence and PAHRA-accredited programs and industry-recognized NATE certification prep. Costs include tuition, tools, EPA 608 certification, and related credentials. Apprenticeship pathways available at lower cost.
HACR Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Franklin
- 1Research the Franklin market: entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay ranges from $41,122 to $46,375, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the hvac field — employers in WI often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Franklin, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Franklin for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Franklin's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Compensation Range
The heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer wage spread in Franklin is $47,276 ( 114.97%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $41,122, experienced hygienists can earn up to $88,398.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$30,273
2025 BLS Actual
$39,609
2026 Current Est.
$41,122
2019–2027 Growth
+41.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30,273 | Actual |
| 2020 | $31,559 | Actual |
| 2021 | $33,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $35,772 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,234 | Actual |
| 2025 | $39,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41,122 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42,693 | Projected |
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation (10th percentile) in Franklin, WI grew 30.8% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $30,273 in 2019 to $39,609 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $42,693. New graduates entering the Franklin job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your hvac Career in Franklin
In Franklin, residential service companies such as Carrier dealers, Trane Comfort Specialists, and ARS commonly recruit entry-level candidates for HVAC positions. These employers often provide structured training programs, including ride-along experiences that help new hires ramp up their skills and income through commission structures that can lead to substantial earnings as they gain experience. To enhance starting pay in Wisconsin, credentials like EPA Section 608 Universal certification, state HVAC contractor licenses, and NATE certification are highly beneficial. These qualifications not only signal a commitment to professionalism but can also lead to better job opportunities. The ongoing demand for heat pump installations, driven by newly introduced IRA tax credits, means that early-career technicians can anticipate solid growth opportunities. The prevailing need for new talent due to an aging workforce, coupled with the transition to emerging refrigerants, means those in their first few years could see salary increases that reflect both their skills and the evolving demands of the industry.
More salary data for Franklin, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the starting salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Franklin in 2026?
How fast do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries grow in Franklin?
Is hvac school worth it in Franklin?
What do new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make right out of school in Franklin?
How do I become a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Wisconsin?
Related Pages
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Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new hvac graduates. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Franklin. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Franklin is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician, a licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov