Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Shelbyville, IN: $27.19 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Shelbyville, IN runs $27.19 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,552 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Shelbyville's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,934 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Shelbyville, IN, can expect a median hourly pay of $27.19 in 2026. This hourly rate is slightly below the national median of $28.93, reflecting the local economic conditions and cost of living, which is lower than the national average. For those considering part-time work—perhaps committing to a 24-hour workweek—their annual earnings would approximate $33,831, substantially less than full-time counterparts. Entry-level roles start at around $18.55, whereas experienced workers can earn up to $38.68 per hour. Typical work environments range from residential service routes to installing and maintaining commercial rooftop units and refrigeration systems in supermarkets, meaning the nature of work influences earning potential.
About the Shelbyville Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($56,000) 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) | $18.55 | $148.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.70 | $173.59 |
| Median (P50) | $27.19 | $217.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.67 | $261.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.68 | $309.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Shelbyville
Based on $27.19/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.19/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Shelbyville, IN can expect to earn approximately $56,556 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,629. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Shelbyville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Shelbyville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.62 | $4,713 | $56,556 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.57 | $2,828 | $33,934 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $435.05 | $1,885 | $22,622 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Shelbyville) | $27.19 |
| 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 Shelbyville, IN earn a median of $56,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.02% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.80% below the Indiana state average of $59,403.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.19/hr = $33,934/year (purchasing power: $37,167).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,556/year (purchasing power: $61,945).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.19/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.19/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Shelbyville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.19/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.19/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.23/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 Shelbyville grew 25.2% from $20.92/hr (2019) to $26.19/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.23/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 Shelbyville 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 Shelbyville
Per-diem opportunities for HVAC professionals are quite prevalent, particularly for those traveling to out-of-town projects. Workers often receive additional per diem compensation ranging from $80 to $150 daily, alongside a base hourly rate of $30 to $55. In Shelbyville, those in residential service typically see minimum call-out fees between $90 and $180. Contractors in high-cost-of-living areas are known to command effective hourly rates between $90 and $160 during peak seasons. Employers vary greatly, from small residential firms to larger commercial contractors or specialized refrigeration companies, with self-employed contractors often enjoying higher hourly rates while accepting less stability. It's critical to weigh the benefits of health insurance from larger firms against the higher pay offered by independent contracts. For those negotiating hourly rates, showcasing specialized training and experience with the latest technologies will be key in achieving favorable pay in this evolving field.
More salary data for Shelbyville, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Shelbyville in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Shelbyville?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Shelbyville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Shelbyville?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Shelbyville?
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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 Shelbyville. 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 Shelbyville 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