Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Tampa, FL: $23.97 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Tampa, FL runs $23.97 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Tampa's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $23.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,917 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tampa, Florida, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median hourly rate of $23.97, which is notably below the national median of $28.93. This disparity in hourly pay must be taken into account by those considering part-time or per-diem roles; for instance, working only three days a week could limit earnings significantly, as that would total about $1,910 monthly for a typical 24-hour work schedule. Entry-level mechanics might earn as little as $18.79 per hour, while the highest earners in the industry can command up to $35.70 an hour, reflecting the vast potential pay range in this field. These figures, sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, highlight the various work settings—such as residential service routes, commercial buildings, and specialized installations—where technicians can apply their skills.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.79 | $150.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.17 | $177.32 |
| Median (P50) | $23.97 | $191.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.31 | $234.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.70 | $285.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Tampa
Based on $23.97/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.97/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Tampa, FL can expect to earn approximately $49,862 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,766. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Tampa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Tampa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $958.88 | $4,155 | $49,862 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $575.33 | $2,493 | $29,917 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.55 | $1,662 | $19,945 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Tampa) | $23.97 |
| 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 Tampa, FL earn a median of $49,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.16% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.60% below the Florida state average of $53,947.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.97/hr = $29,917/year (purchasing power: $29,653).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,862/year (purchasing power: $49,422).
CoL index: 100.89 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.09/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.97/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tampa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.68/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.04/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.97/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.89/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 Tampa grew 7.9% from $21.40/hr (2019) to $23.09/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.89/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 Tampa 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 Tampa
Accepting part-time roles impacts earnings significantly, as a technician working just three days a week may bring home approximately $22,912 annually, starkly different from full-time counterparts. For those in per-diem jobs, the pay varies widely based on location and project type, with travel HVAC technicians receiving between $30 and $55 per hour on top of daily stipends of $80 to $150. In contrast, residential service companies often have minimal charges ranging from $90 to $180 for service calls, while self-employed contractors in high-cost living areas might see effective rates soaring between $90 and $160 an hour during peak season. Hourly rates also differ based on employer type: commercial contractors in industrial settings, residential service firms, and specialty refrigeration companies often have unique pay structures. Technicians must balance these rates against benefits such as health insurance, which can sometimes influence the decision to accept lower hourly pay. Negotiating effectively means understanding both hourly variations and market demands in Tampa, a city with evolving HVAC requirements and an increasing emphasis on new technologies.
More salary data for Tampa, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tampa in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tampa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Tampa?
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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 Tampa. 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