HVAC Tech Salary

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Urban Honolulu, HI: $31.04 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Urban Honolulu, HI runs $31.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,553 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Urban Honolulu's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.0, 11% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,741 per year.

$64,553
Median Annual Salary
$31.04/hr
Hourly Rate
$42,529
Entry Level (P10)
$97,741
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Urban Honolulu, HI — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Urban Honolulu, HI heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In Urban Honolulu, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $31.04 in 2026, which surpasses the national hourly median of $28.93 by a considerable margin. This competitive rate signifies robust earning potential for professionals working in diverse environments, from residential service routes to commercial and industrial applications. Those engaging in part-time roles, such as working three days a week, can expect to earn approximately $1,492 per month before taxes. Entry-level mechanics might start at around $20.44 per hour, while top earners can reach as high as $46.99 per hour. The data provided is sourced from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 statistics, projected to 2026.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$20.44$163.54
Lower Range (P25)$26.53$212.21
Median (P50)$31.04$248.34
Upper Range (P75)$36.48$291.86
Top Earners (P90)$46.99$375.91

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urban Honolulu

Based on $31.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Urban Honolulu earning $31.04/hr would make approximately $37,251 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $64,568 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$37,251Reduced (32 hr/wk)$49,667Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$64,568

At $31.04/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urban Honolulu, HI can expect to earn approximately $64,568 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,251. With a cost-of-living index of 110.96 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Urban Honolulu.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$248.34
per 8hr shift
$1,241.69
per week
$5,381
per month
$64,568
per year

Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,241.69$5,381$64,568
Part-Time (24 hrs)$745.01$3,228$38,741
Per Diem (16 hrs)$496.67$2,152$25,827

Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Urban Honolulu)$31.04
Electrician (National Avg)$31.97
Plumber (National Avg)$32.85
Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg)$29.53
Auto Service Technician (National Avg)$24.83
Horizontal bar chart comparing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer median salary in Urban Honolulu ($64,553) with Hawaii average ($68,166) and the US national median ($60,174).Urban Honolulu$64,553Hawaii Avg$68,166-5.30%US National$60,174+7.28%

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $64,553 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.28% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.30% below the Hawaii state average of $68,166.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $31.04/hr = $38,741/year (purchasing power: $34,914).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,568/year (purchasing power: $58,190).

CoL index: 110.961 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$27.53/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$29.90/hr

2026 Current Est.

$31.04/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+17.1%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Urban Honolulu (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu. Baseline $27.53/hr in 2025, projected to $32.23/hr by 2027.$26$28$31$33$352019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$27.53$29.36$31.06$31.85$33.76$30.66$29.90$31.04$32.23
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$27.53/hrActual
2020$29.36/hrActual
2021$31.06/hrActual
2022$31.85/hrActual
2023$33.76/hrActual
2024$30.66/hrActual
2025$29.90/hrActual
2026(current)$31.04/hrEstimated
2027$32.23/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu grew 8.6% from $27.53/hr (2019) to $29.90/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.23/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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Urban Honolulu

For part-time workers operating within the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry in Urban Honolulu, the financial landscape shows significant variation. On a three-day workweek, an HVAC technician earning $31.04 per hour could realize an annual income of roughly $39,110. However, those in per-diem positions often command higher pay rates, typically ranging from $30 to $55 hourly, coupled with daily stipends that can reach $150, especially for travel roles on larger commercial projects. Self-employed contractors in high-cost-of-living areas may charge between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons. The diversity in pay reflects the various employer types in the region, from national franchise service companies to local commercial HVAC firms, influencing hourly rates based on specific job demands and benefit structures. Negotiating for higher hourly wages may involve trade-offs between pay and benefits, particularly in a tight labor market where health insurance coverage can significantly impact overall earnings.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu is $31.04/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.82% annual growth). Rates range from $20.44 at entry level (10th percentile) to $46.99 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 7.3% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Urban Honolulu?

A part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Urban Honolulu earns approximately $3,228/month, or $38,741/year at the median hourly rate of $31.04. Many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?

The majority of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu are paid hourly at a median rate of $31.04/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $64,568/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Urban Honolulu?

A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Urban Honolulu earns approximately $64,568/year at the median hourly rate of $31.04. This is 7.3% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $97,737/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?

Part-time and per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $46.99/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

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JL

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

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 Urban Honolulu. 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

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