Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Ontario, CA: $30.90 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Ontario, CA runs $30.90 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,273 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Ontario's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,559 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Ontario, California, is projected to be $30.90, surpassing the national median hourly rate of $28.93. This favorable rate opens opportunities for part-time workers, particularly those committed to 24 hours a week, enabling them to earn a significant income relative to other professions. For those engaged in per-diem work across various settings—from residential service truck routes to complex commercial data center cooling systems—the range of hourly pay can vary dramatically. Entry-level technicians may start at around $19.44, while top earners can see rates as high as $47.89, allowing skilled workers to maximize their earnings based on their experience and scope of work.
About the Ontario 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) | $19.44 | $155.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.68 | $189.45 |
| Median (P50) | $30.90 | $247.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.37 | $314.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.89 | $383.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ontario
Based on $30.90/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.90/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ontario, CA can expect to earn approximately $64,265 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,076. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Ontario.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ontario
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,235.87 | $5,355 | $64,265 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $741.52 | $3,213 | $38,559 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.35 | $2,142 | $25,706 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Ontario) | $30.90 |
| 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 Ontario, CA earn a median of $64,273 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.81% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.50% below the California state average of $68,741.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.90/hr = $38,559/year (purchasing power: $34,093).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,265/year (purchasing power: $56,822).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.90/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.68/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.90/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.08/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 Ontario grew 25.2% from $23.77/hr (2019) to $29.76/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.08/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 Ontario 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 Ontario
When evaluating the financial potential of those in the field, part-time mechanics working three days a week can earn a substantial income, though it may still fall short of full-timers' annual earnings. For per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, daily pay rates typically range from $30 to $55, supplemented by per diem allowances of $80 to $150 for out-of-town projects. This unique pay structure benefits residential service technicians who often negotiate a minimum charge between $90 and $180 for service calls, while self-employed contractors thrive during peak seasons with effective rates hitting between $90 and $160 per hour. Different employer types in Ontario contribute to varied pay rates; residential service companies might offer lower wages but provide health benefits, whereas commercial HVAC contractors can present opportunities for higher pay without additional perks. For those in negotiations, understanding the benefits trade-off can lead to better compensation packages, especially in a market facing an aging workforce and a demand for modern refrigerants.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Ontario in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Ontario?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Ontario paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Ontario?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Ontario?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 Ontario. 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 Ontario 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