Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, KS: $29.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Kansas City, KS runs $29.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,214 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.90 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,328 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Kansas City, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay stands at a competitive $29.91, slightly above the national median of $28.93. This rate is significant for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a technician working three days a week can earn approximately $26,600 annually while still having flexibility in their schedule. The hourly pay range in the city spans from $18.48 for entry-level positions to about $46.37 for top earners, illustrating the potential for growth within this career. Professionals in this field often engage in various settings, including residential service, commercial buildings, and specialized environments such as data centers, each of which may influence local salary averages based on demand and specialty.
About the Kansas City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($54,000) 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) | $18.48 | $147.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.67 | $181.39 |
| Median (P50) | $29.91 | $239.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.85 | $302.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.37 | $370.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $29.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.91/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, KS can expect to earn approximately $62,214 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,893. With a cost-of-living index of 90.90 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,196.42 | $5,184 | $62,214 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $717.85 | $3,111 | $37,328 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $478.57 | $2,074 | $24,886 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Kansas City) | $29.91 |
| 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 Kansas City, KS earn a median of $62,214 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.39% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 19.70% above the Kansas state average of $51,975.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.91/hr = $37,328/year (purchasing power: $41,065).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,214/year (purchasing power: $68,442).
CoL index: 90.9 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.27/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.05/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 Kansas City grew 25.2% from $23.01/hr (2019) to $28.81/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.05/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
When considering part-time work, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Kansas City can bring home an approximation of $39,059 annually while working 24 hours per week. Many technicians also enter per-diem setups, particularly when traveling for out-of-town projects, earning between $80 and $150 daily in addition to base wages that range from $30 to $55 per hour. Those engaged in residential service often face minimum charges that can vary from $90 to $180. The job market reveals disparities in hourly rates tied to employer types, with residential services generally offering different benefits compared to commercial HVAC or specialized refrigeration positions. Self-employed contractors might earn significantly more, often clearing between $90 to $160 an hour during peak demands, but they also take on the risk of less job security and the lack of benefits. As professionals negotiate their hourly rates in Kansas City, understanding the balance between hourly pay and benefits, such as health insurance, becomes a strategic approach in securing favorable compensation terms in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Kansas City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas City in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kansas City?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Kansas City?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Kansas City?
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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 Kansas City. 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 Kansas City 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