Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Kennesaw, GA: $22.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Kennesaw, GA runs $22.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $46,562 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Kennesaw's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.1, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $27,935 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kennesaw, Georgia, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly rate is projected to be $22.38 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $28.93 per hour, indicating a regional pay gap in the field. For part-time workers, especially those employed three days a week, this translates to roughly $21,000 annually. Typical working environments include residential service routes, commercial installations, and specialized facilities like data centers. Entry-level positions start at around $15.57 per hour, while experienced mechanics can earn up to $33.78 per hour. It’s essential for technicians to understand these numbers, especially when considering positions that offer variable pay structures and those that might require self-employment or contract work.
About the Kennesaw Market
Salary estimated from Georgia 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) | $15.57 | $124.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $17.66 | $141.28 |
| Median (P50) | $22.38 | $179.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $27.88 | $223.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.78 | $270.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kennesaw
Based on $22.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.38/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kennesaw, GA can expect to earn approximately $46,558 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $26,860. With a cost-of-living index of 93.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kennesaw.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kennesaw
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $895.34 | $3,880 | $46,558 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $537.21 | $2,328 | $27,935 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $358.14 | $1,552 | $18,623 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Kennesaw) | $22.38 |
| 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 Kennesaw, GA earn a median of $46,562 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.62% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.50% below the Georgia state average of $48,756.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.38/hr = $27,935/year (purchasing power: $30,005).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $46,558/year (purchasing power: $50,008).
CoL index: 93.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$21.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kennesaw (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.19/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.16/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $21.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.24/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 Kennesaw grew 25.2% from $17.22/hr (2019) to $21.56/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.24/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 Kennesaw 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 Kennesaw
Part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kennesaw can see lower annual earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, working a 24-hour week at the 2026 median hourly rate would yield an annual income of around $21,400. Per-diem assignments often represent a lucrative option; traveling HVAC technicians can command between $30 and $55 an hour while also receiving $80 to $150 daily for their travel expenses. In contrast, self-employed contractors can achieve earnings as high as $90 to $160 an hour during peak periods, although they face added variables like taxes and lack of benefits. Earnings can also fluctuate widely based on the type of employer, as residential service firms may provide health benefits that result in lower hourly pay rates, while commercial HVAC contractors may offer higher pay, but with less variable income. Negotiation factors such as benefits versus hourly pay, trade organization memberships, and certification credentials from bodies like NATE can also affect earning potential.
More salary data for Kennesaw, GA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kennesaw in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kennesaw?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kennesaw paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Kennesaw?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Kennesaw?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Georgia
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 Kennesaw. 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 Kennesaw 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