Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Elmhurst, IL: $33.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Elmhurst, IL runs $33.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,954 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Elmhurst's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $34.63 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,967 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Mechanics and installers working in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration field in Elmhurst earn a median hourly rate of $33.63. This figure surpasses the national median hourly rate of $28.93, providing local workers with a competitive edge in earnings. For those pursuing part-time opportunities, such as a three-day workweek, this rate can translate into a take-home income that remains substantial, especially when factoring in the different work environments involved—ranging from residential service calls to commercial installations in mechanical rooms and data centers. The hourly pay ranges from $22.90 for entry-level positions to $50.17 for top earners, showcasing the potential for financial growth in this profession as skills and experience are developed.
About the Elmhurst Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) 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) | $22.90 | $183.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.91 | $215.28 |
| Median (P50) | $33.63 | $269.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.53 | $332.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.17 | $401.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Elmhurst
Based on $33.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.63/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Elmhurst, IL can expect to earn approximately $69,945 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,353. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Elmhurst.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Elmhurst
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,345.09 | $5,829 | $69,945 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $807.06 | $3,497 | $41,967 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.04 | $2,331 | $27,978 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Elmhurst) | $33.63 |
| 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 Elmhurst, IL earn a median of $69,954 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.25% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.40% below the Illinois state average of $73,947.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.63/hr = $41,967/year (purchasing power: $43,220).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,945/year (purchasing power: $72,034).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.39/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Elmhurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.42/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.39/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.91/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 Elmhurst grew 25.2% from $25.87/hr (2019) to $32.39/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.91/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 Elmhurst 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 Elmhurst
In Elmhurst, part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working 24 hours a week could expect to take home approximately $52,637 annually before taxes, compared to full-time workers earning around $69,954. Per-diem specialists who travel for commercial projects usually earn between $30-$55 per hour, alongside daily per diem rates from $80 to $150, depending on the project's location and scope. Those engaged in self-employment can see even higher effective rates during peak seasons, sometimes exceeding $90-$160 per hour. The hourly rates can vary significantly based on the employer, whether it’s residential service companies, large HVAC contractors, or specialized refrigeration firms servicing supermarkets. Workers may find themselves weighing the trade-offs between lower hourly wages with benefits and higher rates without health coverage. Negotiation skills will be critical; being aware of local market rates and the unique benefits offered by employers can guide discussions toward a fair compensation package that aligns with one's career and personal needs.
More salary data for Elmhurst, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Elmhurst. 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 Elmhurst 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