Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Royal Palm Beach, FL: $25.58 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Royal Palm Beach, FL runs $25.58 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $53,207 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Royal Palm Beach's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.8, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $25.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,925 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Royal Palm Beach, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay stands at a median of $25.58, which falls below the national median of $28.93. This hourly rate suggests a trend where part-time workers, especially those pursuing a three-day workweek on service truck routes or in commercial environments, can expect a stable income, but one that may be less than their counterparts in regions with higher compensation. Entry-level positions in this sector may start at around $17.08, while experienced professionals can earn up to $38.65 per hour, influenced by their skill sets and the complexity of the jobs they handle. It’s worth noting that these hourly figures are derived from projected annual salaries, giving professionals insights into their earning potential in various employment settings throughout the area.
About the Royal Palm Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($52,000) 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) | $17.08 | $136.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.21 | $161.71 |
| Median (P50) | $25.58 | $204.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.89 | $255.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.65 | $309.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Royal Palm Beach
Based on $25.58/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.58/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Royal Palm Beach, FL can expect to earn approximately $53,209 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,697. With a cost-of-living index of 100.80 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Royal Palm Beach.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Royal Palm Beach
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,023.25 | $4,434 | $53,209 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $613.95 | $2,660 | $31,925 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $409.30 | $1,774 | $21,284 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Royal Palm Beach) | $25.58 |
| 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 Royal Palm Beach, FL earn a median of $53,207 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.58% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% below the Florida state average of $53,908.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.58/hr = $31,925/year (purchasing power: $31,672).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $53,209/year (purchasing power: $52,787).
CoL index: 100.8 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$19.68/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.64/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.58/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Royal Palm Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.68/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.64/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.64/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.58/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.56/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 Royal Palm Beach grew 25.2% from $19.68/hr (2019) to $24.64/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.56/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 Royal Palm Beach 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 Royal Palm Beach
In a part-time capacity, working 24 hours a week as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer could yield an annual income of approximately $31,000. Agency workers or those taking on per-diem projects often see pay considerably higher, ranging between $30 and $55 per hour, not including additional daily stipends for travel. Self-employed contractors frequently command rates between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons, illustrating the potential for significant earnings and flexibility. The diversity of employers in Royal Palm Beach—ranging from residential service companies to commercial HVAC contractors—also reflects varied compensation structures, with some positions offering health benefits in exchange for slightly lower hourly rates. Negotiating the balance between hourly pay and benefits is essential, as many in the trade weigh financial compensation against the security offered by health insurance options in their choice of employment.
More salary data for Royal Palm Beach, FL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Royal Palm Beach, FL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Royal Palm Beach, FL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Royal Palm Beach, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Royal Palm Beach in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Royal Palm Beach?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Royal Palm Beach paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Royal Palm Beach?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Royal Palm Beach?
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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 Royal Palm Beach. 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 Royal Palm Beach 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