Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Palatine, IL: $35.62 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Palatine, IL runs $35.62 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,095 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Palatine's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.68 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,455 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Palatine, Illinois, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be a robust $35.62 in 2026. This rate illustrates a significant advantage over the national hourly median of $28.93, providing local technicians with better financial expectations. For those working part-time, such as on three-day weeks, this could translate to approximately $27,000 annually if clocking around 24 hours weekly. The hourly ranges for this profession span from $22.63 at the entry level to as much as $55.14 for top earners, painting a varied picture of earning potential across various work environments—from residential service routes where technicians often respond to customer calls, to commercial settings dealing with rooftop units, and even specialized roles in data center cooling systems.
About the Palatine 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) | $22.63 | $181.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.51 | $220.10 |
| Median (P50) | $35.62 | $284.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $44.88 | $359.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.14 | $441.11 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Palatine
Based on $35.62/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.62/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Palatine, IL can expect to earn approximately $74,091 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,745. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Palatine.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Palatine
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,424.83 | $6,174 | $74,091 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $854.90 | $3,705 | $44,455 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.93 | $2,470 | $29,636 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Palatine) | $35.62 |
| 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 Palatine, IL earn a median of $74,095 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.13% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.20% above 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 $35.62/hr = $44,455/year (purchasing power: $45,782).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,091/year (purchasing power: $76,304).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.62/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Palatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $32.22/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.81/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.62/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.98/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 Palatine grew 25.2% from $27.40/hr (2019) to $34.31/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.98/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 Palatine 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 Palatine
An analysis reveals that heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Palatine have substantial income opportunities depending on their employment circumstances. Those who choose to work part-time may not capture the full benefits available to full-time employees, seen in the increasing demand for HVAC services due to factors like the IRA tax credit for heat pump installations. For per-diem roles, such as those traveling for industrial projects, professionals can expect an additional $80-$150 for daily expenses on top of their base wage of $30-$55, significantly boosting their income. Companies ranging from residential service providers to industrial contractors may display differing pay structures. While larger HVAC firms can offer steadier salaries, self-employed contractors might see variable rates of $90-$160 per hour during peak times. Ultimately, factors like health benefits versus pay rates become pivotal in negotiations, requiring technicians to balance their financial needs with job security and additional perks specific to Palatine's HVAC sector.
More salary data for Palatine, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Palatine in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Palatine?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Palatine paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Palatine?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Palatine?
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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 Palatine. 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 Palatine 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