Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Redding, CA: $29.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Redding, CA runs $29.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,156 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Redding's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.7, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.69 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,302 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Redding, California, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $29.89 in 2026, slightly surpassing the national average of $28.93. This competitive hourly rate is beneficial for professionals working part-time, such as those engaged in residential service truck routes or contract work, who may schedule shifts for three days a week. For these part-time workers, earning this rate can yield substantial income through per-diem opportunities, where technicians service various settings, including commercial HVAC systems and supermarket refrigeration. The hourly earnings for these mechanics range from $22.12 for entry-level positions to as high as $44.38 for the most experienced, reflecting the diverse skill levels and the specialized nature of this trade.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.12 | $176.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.03 | $216.28 |
| Median (P50) | $29.89 | $239.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.25 | $298.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.38 | $355.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Redding
Based on $29.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.89/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Redding, CA can expect to earn approximately $62,171 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,868. With a cost-of-living index of 100.68 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Redding.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Redding
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,195.59 | $5,181 | $62,171 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.35 | $3,109 | $37,302 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.24 | $2,072 | $24,868 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Redding) | $29.89 |
| 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 Redding, CA earn a median of $62,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 9.60% below the California state average of $68,757.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.89/hr = $37,302/year (purchasing power: $37,049).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,171/year (purchasing power: $61,748).
CoL index: 100.684 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.36/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Redding (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.36/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.56/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.09/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.60/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.03/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 Redding grew 13.5% from $25.36/hr (2019) to $28.79/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.03/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 Redding 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 Redding
When examining the income potential of part-time workers versus full-time mechanics in Redding, a 24-hour workweek yields notable differences. A part-time technician earning $29.89 hourly could accumulate around $46,155 annually, substantially lower than what full-time counterparts make, which can reach $62,156. Per-diem and agency workers in this field often see varied compensation; those involved in out-of-town projects can command daily rates between $80 and $150, in addition to base hourly wages of $30 to $55. Residential service calls frequently guarantee minimum payments ranging from $90 to $180. Moreover, the compensation rates differ depending on employer types—commercial HVAC contractors may provide salary structures with benefits, whereas self-employed contractors might focus on higher hourly earnings without the cushion of health insurance. For mechanics in Redding negotiating compensation, understanding these distinctions can be key: weighing the benefits of steady employment against the greater hourly rates available in high-demand periods can shape career choices significantly.
More salary data for Redding, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Redding in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Redding paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Redding?
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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 Redding. 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