Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Turlock, CA: $32.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Turlock, CA runs $32.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $67,237 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Turlock's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,347 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Turlock, CA, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median hourly rate of $32.33, which significantly surpasses the national median of $28.93. This competitive pay structure not only reflects local demand but also provides attractive opportunities for part-time workers, such as those taking on three days a week, earning around $1,848 throughout an average month with 24 hours on the clock. The hourly range varies widely, starting at $21.97 for entry-level positions and going up to $50.10 for top earners, indicative of both experience and the complexity of the job. This dynamic environment encompasses various settings, including residential service routes, commercial systems, and specialized fields like data center cooling, making it an appealing choice for technicians in the area.
About the Turlock 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) | $21.97 | $175.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.97 | $207.72 |
| Median (P50) | $32.33 | $258.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.37 | $330.98 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.10 | $400.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Turlock
Based on $32.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.33/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Turlock, CA can expect to earn approximately $67,245 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,795. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Turlock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Turlock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,293.18 | $5,604 | $67,245 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $775.91 | $3,362 | $40,347 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $517.27 | $2,242 | $26,898 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Turlock) | $32.33 |
| 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 Turlock, CA earn a median of $67,237 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.74% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.20% below the California state average of $68,749.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.33/hr = $40,347/year (purchasing power: $35,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $67,245/year (purchasing power: $59,457).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.14/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Turlock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.23/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.14/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.56/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 Turlock grew 25.2% from $24.87/hr (2019) to $31.14/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.56/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 Turlock 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 Turlock
When considering part-time earning potential, a mechanic working three days a week in Turlock may earn a gross approximate of $22,176 annually. Conversely, a full-time employee can see their earnings ascend markedly higher. Those working on per-diem projects often command additional compensation, with daily allowances ranging from $80 to $150, layered on top of hourly rates that can reach between $30 and $55. Residential service calls typically start around $90, while successful self-employed contractors could earn upwards of $160 per hour during peak periods. Compensation varies across different types of employers; residential service companies often offer benefits at the cost of slightly lower hourly wages, while commercial settings may favor a more stable paid structure. Negotiation becomes crucial for workers in Turlock, who must weigh immediate hourly wages against long-term benefits, ensuring they secure a work agreement that supports their financial and personal needs.
More salary data for Turlock, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Turlock in 2026?
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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 Turlock. 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 Turlock 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