Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Inglewood, CA: $33.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Inglewood, CA runs $33.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,156 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Inglewood's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,096 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Inglewood, California, offers a competitive hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, with a median pay of $33.73 per hour. This rate significantly exceeds the national median of $28.93 per hour, reflecting the cost of living and demand for skilled HVAC professionals in the area. For those working part-time, specifically on a three-day-per-week schedule, this translates to a substantial income opportunity. In this profession, hourly rates range from $21.04 for entry-level positions to $52.28 for top earners, indicating the potential for significant earnings depending on experience, skill level, and employer type. Typical work environments include residential service routes, commercial installations, and industrial settings, all of which shape the earnings landscape for workers in Inglewood.
About the Inglewood Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) 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) | $21.04 | $168.35 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.73 | $205.81 |
| Median (P50) | $33.73 | $269.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.10 | $336.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.28 | $418.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Inglewood
Based on $33.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.73/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Inglewood, CA can expect to earn approximately $70,161 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,477. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Inglewood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Inglewood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,349.24 | $5,847 | $70,161 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $809.55 | $3,508 | $42,096 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $539.70 | $2,339 | $28,064 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Inglewood) | $33.73 |
| 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 Inglewood, CA earn a median of $70,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.59% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% above the California state average of $68,781.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.73/hr = $42,096/year (purchasing power: $37,221).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,161/year (purchasing power: $62,034).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.95/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Inglewood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.90/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.73/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.02/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 Inglewood grew 25.2% from $25.95/hr (2019) to $32.49/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.02/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 Inglewood 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 Inglewood
In the context of part-time work, a mechanic on a three-day work week (24 hours) could expect to earn approximately $42,350 annually, significantly lower than what full-time technicians might make. Those in per-diem roles, such as travel HVAC techs, can earn anywhere from $80 to $150 per day in addition to a base hourly wage of $30 to $55. Inglewood's market features a range of employer types, from residential service companies, like Carrier dealers to specialized refrigeration firms servicing supermarkets, each offering varied compensation structures. While some technicians may choose to take on lower hourly rates in exchange for benefits like health insurance, self-employed contractors often capitalize on peak season demand, earning rates of $90 to $160 per hour. Negotiating tips for hourly workers include emphasizing specialized certifications, such as EPA Section 608 or NATE qualifications, to justify higher pay in this competitive field.
More salary data for Inglewood, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Inglewood in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Inglewood?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Inglewood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Inglewood?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Inglewood?
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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 Inglewood. 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 Inglewood 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