Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Anchorage, AK: $40.59 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Anchorage, AK runs $40.59 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,446 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Anchorage's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $38.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,661 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Anchorage, Alaska, the median hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $40.59, significantly higher than the national median of $28.93. This competitive hourly rate is a strong incentive for professionals considering part-time roles, as someone working three days a week can earn around $1,200 weekly, providing a solid income. The hourly wage range in Anchorage spans from $27.53 for entry-level positions to $49.85 for top earners, reflecting variations in skills, experience, and the specific settings in which they operate—be it residential service routes, commercial rooftop units, or industrial refrigeration systems. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, emphasizing the robust pay structure within the local HVAC sector.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.53 | $220.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $34.55 | $276.41 |
| Median (P50) | $40.59 | $324.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.86 | $390.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.85 | $398.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Anchorage
Based on $40.59/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.59/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Anchorage, AK can expect to earn approximately $84,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,712. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Anchorage.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Anchorage
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,623.74 | $7,036 | $84,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $974.25 | $4,222 | $50,661 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $649.50 | $2,814 | $33,774 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Anchorage) | $40.59 |
| 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 Anchorage, AK earn a median of $84,446 per year (2026 est.), which is 40.34% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 39.20% above the Alaska state average of $60,665.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.59/hr = $50,661/year (purchasing power: $48,056).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,435/year (purchasing power: $80,094).
CoL index: 105.42 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.59/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Anchorage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $36.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.59/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.14/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 Anchorage grew 17.0% from $33.43/hr (2019) to $39.10/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.14/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 Anchorage 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 Anchorage
When examining work dynamics, part-time mechanics in Anchorage can expect to bring home a substantial income, though not on par with full-time counterparts. A technician working 24 hours a week could earn around $62,000 annually, which is appealing; however, it still falls short of what full-time roles typically generate. For per diem positions, especially on out-of-town projects, pay can be enticing, with rates between $80 and $150 a day plus an hourly wage ranging from $30 to $55. In contrast, residential service calls often start at $90, sometimes reaching up to $180, while self-employed contractors might clear between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons. The hourly pay often varies significantly across different employer types in Anchorage, with established residential companies offering structured commissions and potential benefits, while commercial contractors might provide steadier hours for technicians without the same commission pressures. It's essential for workers to weigh the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits when negotiating terms, particularly in a market where high pay can come without health insurance.
More salary data for Anchorage, AK:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Anchorage. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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