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.
Official BLS data · View source

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
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 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.
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.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urban Honolulu
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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
| Role | Median 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 |
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 (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.53/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $31.06/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.85/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.90/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.23/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 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 (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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 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.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, HI:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Urban Honolulu?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urban Honolulu paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Urban Honolulu?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Urban Honolulu?
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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 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