Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Post Falls, ID: $23.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Post Falls, ID runs $23.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,358 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Post Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.3, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,010 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Post Falls, Idaho, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $23.25 in 2026. This rate falls significantly below the national median of $28.93, indicating a regional pay gap that may impact both recruitment and retention in the industry. For part-time workers, such as those engaging in residential service truck routes or handling commercial building units, this means earning approximately $18,480 when working three days a week, assuming a typical schedule. Entry-level positions might see hourly earnings starting at $16.43, while experienced technicians can reach as high as $35.38 per hour, depending on the complexity of the system they handle, whether in a commercial or residential setting.
About the Post Falls Market
Salary estimated from Idaho average ($54,000) 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) | $16.43 | $131.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.05 | $152.41 |
| Median (P50) | $23.25 | $185.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.27 | $226.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.38 | $283.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Post Falls
Based on $23.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.25/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Post Falls, ID can expect to earn approximately $48,350 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,894. With a cost-of-living index of 95.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Post Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Post Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $929.81 | $4,029 | $48,350 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $557.89 | $2,418 | $29,010 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $371.92 | $1,612 | $19,340 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Post Falls) | $23.25 |
| 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 Post Falls, ID earn a median of $48,358 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.64% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.90% below the Idaho state average of $50,321.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.25/hr = $29,010/year (purchasing power: $30,441).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,350/year (purchasing power: $50,735).
CoL index: 95.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.88/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Post Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.88/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $17.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $18.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.03/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.13/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 Post Falls grew 25.2% from $17.88/hr (2019) to $22.39/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.13/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 Post Falls 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 Post Falls
When considering the earning potential of a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Post Falls, the dynamics change considerably for those who work in agency or per-diem situations. For instance, a travel technician undertaking commercial projects might earn between $80 to $150 per day in addition to a base rate of $30 to $55 per hour, resulting in a more lucrative payoff than their residential counterparts who may earn minimum call fees ranging from $90 to $180. Additionally, self-employed contractors may capitalize on higher rates, clearing $90 to $160 per hour during peak seasons. As the market adapts to new technologies such as heat pumps, mechanics face trade-offs between lower hourly wages with benefits from larger firms versus higher pay in contract roles without benefits. Negotiating pay agreements can often hinge on understanding local market rates and demonstrating expertise, especially given the evolving HVAC landscape in Post Falls.
More salary data for Post Falls, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Post Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Post Falls?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Post Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Post Falls?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Post Falls?
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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 Post Falls. 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 Post Falls 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