HVAC Tech Salary

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Erie, CO: $29.10 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Erie, CO runs $29.10 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,524 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Erie's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.0, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,318 per year.

$60,524
Median Annual Salary
$29.10/hr
Hourly Rate
$40,437
Entry Level (P10)
$89,668
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Erie, CO — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Erie, CO heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

With a projected hourly rate of $29.10 in 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie, CO, earn slightly above the national median of $28.93. This hourly pay reflects what professionals can expect in various settings, including residential service routes, commercial rooftops, and refrigeration systems within supermarkets. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day workweek, earning around this rate could yield approximately $22,000 to $25,000 annually, depending on hours worked. Comcast rates range from $19.45 for entry-level positions to $43.11 for experienced technicians, illustrating the earning potential based on skill and expertise in the industry. These figures derive from the broader annual salary estimates but provide a key insight into hourly compensation dynamics in Erie.

About the Erie Market

Salary estimated from Colorado average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$19.45$155.56
Lower Range (P25)$23.10$184.80
Median (P50)$29.10$232.81
Upper Range (P75)$35.76$286.04
Top Earners (P90)$43.11$344.85

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Erie

Based on $29.10/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Erie earning $29.10/hr would make approximately $34,921 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $60,530 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$34,921Reduced (32 hr/wk)$46,561Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$60,530

At $29.10/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Erie, CO can expect to earn approximately $60,530 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,921. With a cost-of-living index of 105.00 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Erie.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$232.81
per 8hr shift
$1,164.03
per week
$5,044
per month
$60,530
per year

Schedule Comparison in Erie

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,164.03$5,044$60,530
Part-Time (24 hrs)$698.42$3,026$36,318
Per Diem (16 hrs)$465.61$2,018$24,212

Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Erie)$29.10
Electrician (National Avg)$31.97
Plumber (National Avg)$32.85
Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg)$29.53
Auto Service Technician (National Avg)$24.83
Horizontal bar chart comparing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer median salary in Erie ($60,524) with Colorado average ($61,197) and the US national median ($60,174).Erie$60,524Colorado Avg$61,197-1.10%US National$60,174+0.58%

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Erie, CO earn a median of $60,524 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.58% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% below the Colorado state average of $61,197.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $29.10/hr = $36,318/year (purchasing power: $34,588).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,530/year (purchasing power: $57,647).

CoL index: 105 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$22.39/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$28.03/hr

2026 Current Est.

$29.10/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+34.9%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Erie (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie. Baseline $22.39/hr in 2025, projected to $30.21/hr by 2027.$21$24$27$30$332019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$22.39$23.24$22.34$23.61$26.33$30.97$28.03$29.10$30.21
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$22.39/hrActual
2020$23.24/hrActual
2021$22.34/hrActual
2022$23.61/hrActual
2023$26.33/hrActual
2024$30.97/hrActual
2025$28.03/hrActual
2026(current)$29.10/hrEstimated
2027$30.21/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie grew 25.2% from $22.39/hr (2019) to $28.03/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.21/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Erie metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Erie

Assessing part-time earnings further highlights the lucrative opportunities available for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. A technician working 24 hours a week could potentially take home around $22,708 annually, compared to someone working full-time hours, contributing to much higher annual earnings. Furthermore, per diem pay for travel HVAC technicians can be quite lucrative, ranging from $80 to $150 daily, stacked on top of a base hourly wage that typically falls between $30 and $55. Employment opportunities vary significantly based on employer type; residential service companies in Erie may employ lower hourly rates in exchange for comprehensive health benefits, while self-employed contractors could command higher rates per job without such perks. Understanding this trade-off can influence wage negotiations, particularly in Erie, where local employers may offer benefits that can compensate for lower hourly salaries when weighing the full compensation package.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie is $29.10/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.82% annual growth). Rates range from $19.45 at entry level (10th percentile) to $43.11 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 0.6% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Erie?

A part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Erie earns approximately $3,026/month, or $36,318/year at the median hourly rate of $29.10. Many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie paid hourly or salary?

The majority of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie are paid hourly at a median rate of $29.10/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $60,530/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Erie?

A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Erie earns approximately $60,530/year at the median hourly rate of $29.10. This is 0.6% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $89,661/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Erie?

Part-time and per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Erie sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $43.11/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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JL

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

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 Erie. 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 Erie is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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