Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Peoria, IL: $37.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Peoria, IL runs $37.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $77,631 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Peoria's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.2, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.91 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,579 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Peoria, Illinois stands at a competitive $37.32/hr, significantly higher than the national average of $28.93/hr. This favorable rate reflects the demand for skilled professionals in local residential and commercial service sectors, which often include a mix of service truck routes for homes and larger cooling systems in commercial buildings. For part-time workers, such as those on a 3-day work week schedule, income potential is substantial; clocking in around 24 hours weekly at this hourly rate translates to a gross income of over $46,000 annually. Entry-level positions may start around $22.34/hr, while experienced technicians can earn as much as $50.01/hr, showcasing a healthy salary range from $46,454 to $104,005 based on skills and experience. This data, which is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlights the growth opportunities available for HVAC professionals in Peoria.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.34 | $178.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.53 | $228.24 |
| Median (P50) | $37.32 | $298.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.22 | $377.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.01 | $400.08 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Peoria
Based on $37.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.32/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Peoria, IL can expect to earn approximately $77,632 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,788. With a cost-of-living index of 91.23 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Peoria.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Peoria
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,492.93 | $6,469 | $77,632 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $895.76 | $3,882 | $46,579 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $597.17 | $2,588 | $31,053 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Peoria) | $37.32 |
| 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 Peoria, IL earn a median of $77,631 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.01% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.00% above the Illinois state average of $73,935.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.32/hr = $46,579/year (purchasing power: $51,057).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $77,632/year (purchasing power: $85,094).
CoL index: 91.231 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Peoria (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.16/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.75/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 Peoria grew 20.8% from $29.76/hr (2019) to $35.95/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.75/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 Peoria 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 Peoria
Part-time mechanics and installers earning approximately $37.32/hr working three days a week can expect to take home nearly $46,800 annually when accounting for some unpaid time and limited hours. Those seeking per diem work as travel techs on out-of-town commercial projects may see daily earnings ranging from $80 to $150 on top of their base hourly wages, which vary but typically fall between $30-$55/hr. In residential service calls, rates might start at $90, pushing to $180 for more complex issues. Different employer types also influence pay; self-employed contractors often find themselves earning between $90-$160/hr in high-demand periods, while commercial HVAC teams may have less flexibility but enjoy benefits from established companies. The choice often comes down to weighing slightly lower hourly rates with benefits or the potential for higher earnings without traditional job stability. In a dynamic market like Peoria’s, effective negotiation is essential—understanding the local landscape and aligning expectations with growing demand can aid in securing favorable compensation.
More salary data for Peoria, 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 Peoria. 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