Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Phenix City, AL: $22.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Phenix City, AL runs $22.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,877 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Phenix City's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.9, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,129 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected hourly rate of $22.54, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Phenix City, AL, earn significantly less than the national median of $28.93 per hour. This wage, while competitive locally, places these professionals around 22.10% below the national average. For part-time workers operating on a schedule of three days per week, this translates to roughly $1,080 monthly, which could accommodate modest living expenses in a low-cost area like Phenix City. The pay range for local mechanics stretches from approximately $16.03 for entry-level positions (P10) to about $33.15 for more experienced technicians (P90). Job settings include a variety of environments such as residential service routes, commercial rooftops, and food service refrigeration units, which allow flexibility for per-diem workers in seasonal demand.
About the Phenix City Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.03 | $128.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.61 | $148.92 |
| Median (P50) | $22.54 | $180.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.54 | $220.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.15 | $265.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Phenix City
Based on $22.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.54/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Phenix City, AL can expect to earn approximately $46,882 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,047. With a cost-of-living index of 87.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Phenix City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Phenix City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $901.57 | $3,907 | $46,882 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $540.94 | $2,344 | $28,129 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $360.63 | $1,563 | $18,753 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Phenix City) | $22.54 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Auto Service Technician (National Avg) | $24.83 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Phenix City, AL earn a median of $46,877 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.10% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.60% below the Alabama state average of $47,639.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.54/hr = $28,129/year (purchasing power: $32,001).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,882/year (purchasing power: $53,335).
CoL index: 87.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Phenix City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.00/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.30/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.29/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $19.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.40/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Phenix City grew 25.2% from $17.34/hr (2019) to $21.71/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.40/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Phenix City 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.
Working as an Hourly Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer in Phenix City
Those considering a part-time role should weigh the overall earning potential against full-time positions, especially in peak seasons where jobs can be plentiful. For instance, working a three-day schedule around 24 hours could yield an annual income of approximately $12,960, while full-time mechanics could capitalize on overtime opportunities, significantly boosting their total earnings. Additionally, per-diem opportunities can offer lucrative pay for travel technicians, receiving daily rates that can range between $80 and $150, supplemented by base rates of $30 to $55 per hour. The hourly pay varies depending on the type of employer; residential companies may offer different commission structures, where techs can earn additional income from service performance, while commercial contractors often pay a set salary with benefits. For self-employed contractors, tapping into high-demand markets can yield rates of $90 to $160, especially during peak seasons. Negotiation skills are critical for hourly workers; those with certifications like EPA Section 608 should emphasize their qualifications for competitive pay and better benefits when discussing potential employment opportunities in Phenix City.
More salary data for Phenix City, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Phenix City in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Phenix City paid hourly or salary?
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Phenix City. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Phenix City 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