Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Athens, GA: $23.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Athens, GA runs $23.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,220 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Athens's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.3, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.84 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,932 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Athens, Georgia, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $23.18 in 2026, which is noticeably lower than the national median hourly rate of $28.93. This disparity may impact individuals seeking part-time positions, such as those working three days a week, markedly affecting their annual income while limiting their exposure to full-time benefits. Per-diem roles in various settings—including residential service trucks, commercial building rooftops, and data centers—often allow technicians to earn between $16.97 and $32.72 per hour depending on their experience and specialization. With entry-level positions typically starting closer to $16.97 per hour and top earners potentially reaching $32.72, the potential for growth exists but is tempered by the local market's dynamics as reflected in these official BLS estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.97 | $135.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.28 | $154.23 |
| Median (P50) | $23.18 | $185.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.69 | $229.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $32.72 | $261.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Athens
Based on $23.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.18/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Athens, GA can expect to earn approximately $48,221 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,820. With a cost-of-living index of 93.34 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Athens.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Athens
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $927.32 | $4,018 | $48,221 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.39 | $2,411 | $28,932 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.93 | $1,607 | $19,288 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Athens) | $23.18 |
| 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 Athens, GA earn a median of $48,220 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.87% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% below the Georgia state average of $48,757.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.18/hr = $28,932/year (purchasing power: $30,996).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,221/year (purchasing power: $51,660).
CoL index: 93.343 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.19/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Athens (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.19/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.07/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 Athens grew 16.4% from $19.19/hr (2019) to $22.33/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.07/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 Athens 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 Athens
The earning potential for part-time mechanics could translate into about $26,000 annually for a 3-day workweek, significantly lower than full-time earnings, which may frequently exceed $50,000. Per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Athens can vary, particularly for those involved in out-of-town industrial projects where rates of $80-$150 per day are common, in addition to hourly pay rates averaging between $30 and $55. Companies that dominate the local HVAC landscape—ranging from residential service firms like Carrier dealers to commercial operations—often pay differing hourly rates reflective of their respective profit margins and market demands. Technicians must negotiate wisely; accepting lower hourly wages at established companies may come with health benefits, while independent contractors might make more hourly without such perks. As experienced professionals understand, striking a balance between hourly pay and benefits is critical in shaping their career decisions within Athens's HVAC market.
More salary data for Athens, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Athens in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Athens?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Athens paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Athens?
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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 Athens. 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