Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Gainesville, FL: $26.40 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Gainesville, FL runs $26.40 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,907 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Gainesville's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.7, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,949 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Gainesville, Florida, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay stands at a median of $26.40. This figure is notably below the national hourly median of $28.93, indicating a regional disparity. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this translates to approximately $633.60 weekly, which can vary depending on the day’s workload and the specific jobs undertaken. Mechanic and installer roles can include a wide array of environments, from residential service routes to commercial rooftop setups, and specialty refrigeration applications. The hourly rate can range from $17.10 at entry-level to $35.67 for top earners, reflecting the varying levels of expertise and the nature of the projects they work on. These statistics are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics data and highlight the local market conditions in Gainesville.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.10 | $136.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.03 | $176.24 |
| Median (P50) | $26.40 | $211.21 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.88 | $231.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.67 | $285.38 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gainesville
Based on $26.40/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.40/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gainesville, FL can expect to earn approximately $54,915 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,682. With a cost-of-living index of 96.73 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Gainesville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gainesville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,056.06 | $4,576 | $54,915 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $633.63 | $2,746 | $32,949 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.42 | $1,830 | $21,966 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Gainesville) | $26.40 |
| 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 Gainesville, FL earn a median of $54,907 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.75% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.80% above the Florida state average of $53,936.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.40/hr = $32,949/year (purchasing power: $34,062).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,915/year (purchasing power: $56,770).
CoL index: 96.733 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.43/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.40/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Gainesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.43/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.40/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.41/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 Gainesville grew 35.6% from $18.76/hr (2019) to $25.43/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.41/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 Gainesville 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 Gainesville
Looking beyond basic pay, part-time mechanics earning around $26.40 per hour for a 24-hour workweek would make approximately $33,036 annually, while full-time employees could earn significantly more, expanding their financial opportunities. Furthermore, per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer positions in Gainesville offer enticing daily rates, typically ranging from $80 to $150, alongside hourly rates between $30 and $55. Seasonal peaks can elevate earnings; for instance, residential service call minimums may be set between $90 and $180. Variation in hourly rates exists by employer—residential service companies like Carrier and Trane may offer lower base pay with commission opportunities, while commercial HVAC contractors and data centers might provide higher guaranteed wages with employee benefits. For self-employed contractors, hourly rates can spike to between $90 and $160 in high-cost markets during peak seasons, leading many to weigh benefits against hourly pay. Thus, in Gainesville, understanding the labor market dynamics and making informed negotiation choices can significantly impact overall earning potential.
More salary data for Gainesville, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Gainesville. 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