Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Northbrook, IL: $35.07 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Northbrook, IL runs $35.07 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $72,938 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Northbrook's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $43,768 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Northbrook, Illinois, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers averages $35.07, positioning it significantly higher than the national average of $28.93. This higher local rate can benefit those looking for part-time work—approximately $28,000 annually for a 24-hour workweek—while also providing a solid income for those on per-diem assignments in various settings like residential service routes or commercial HVAC installations. The pay range varies widely, with entry-level technicians earning around $23.35 per hour, while top earners can make as much as $52.89 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary data and reflect the broad spectrum of tasks these professionals undertake, from maintaining residential units to servicing data center cooling systems.
About the Northbrook 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) | $23.35 | $186.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.70 | $221.59 |
| Median (P50) | $35.07 | $280.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $43.74 | $349.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.89 | $423.09 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Northbrook
Based on $35.07/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.07/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Northbrook, IL can expect to earn approximately $72,946 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,084. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Northbrook.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Northbrook
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,402.82 | $6,079 | $72,946 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $841.69 | $3,647 | $43,768 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $561.13 | $2,432 | $29,179 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Northbrook) | $35.07 |
| 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 Northbrook, IL earn a median of $72,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.21% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.40% below the Illinois state average of $73,973.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.07/hr = $43,768/year (purchasing power: $45,075).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $72,946/year (purchasing power: $75,125).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$33.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.07/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Northbrook (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.93/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.73/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $33.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.07/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.41/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 Northbrook grew 25.2% from $26.98/hr (2019) to $33.78/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.41/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 Northbrook 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 Northbrook
As demand grows for highly trained HVAC technicians, the earning potential for part-time workers can fluctuate significantly based on the type of employer. For example, per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics on out-of-town assignments may earn an additional $80-$150 per day, on top of base hourly rates between $30 and $55. Those who choose to work in residential service typically have established a minimum charge of $90-$180 per service call. Self-employed contractors, especially in high-cost-of-living markets, can command effective rates from $90 to $160 per hour during peak seasons. While accepting lower hourly wages in structured environments may present less financial stress, the absence of benefits can lead workers to seek opportunities that do include them. Negotiating hourly pay can depend strongly on prevailing local rates and the availability of health coverage, plus understanding which employers offer the best incentives for long-term success can help technicians navigate their career paths more effectively.
More salary data for Northbrook, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Northbrook paid hourly or salary?
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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 Northbrook. 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 Northbrook 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