Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Henderson, KY: $26.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Henderson, KY runs $26.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,722 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Henderson's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.00 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,428 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Henderson, Kentucky, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median hourly rate of $26.79. This figure is slightly below the national median of $28.93, reflecting regional wage variances influenced by the local cost of living index of 89.3, which is below the national average. For part-time workers, such as those employed three days a week, this hourly pay translates to a weekly income that can provide a stable supplement, especially when working within diverse environments—from residential service routes to commercial settings like big-box stores with complex refrigeration systems. Entry-level technicians typically start around $17.38 per hour, while experienced workers in high-demand roles can reach up to $41.53, making the potential earnings attractive for those considering this career path.
About the Henderson Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) 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) | $17.38 | $139.04 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.92 | $175.33 |
| Median (P50) | $26.79 | $214.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.54 | $260.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.53 | $332.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Henderson
Based on $26.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.79/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Henderson, KY can expect to earn approximately $55,714 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,143. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Henderson.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Henderson
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,071.42 | $4,643 | $55,714 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $642.85 | $2,786 | $33,428 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $428.57 | $1,857 | $22,286 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Henderson) | $26.79 |
| 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 Henderson, KY earn a median of $55,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.40% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.20% below the Kentucky state average of $56,976.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.79/hr = $33,428/year (purchasing power: $37,434).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,714/year (purchasing power: $62,390).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.80/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Henderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.39/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.99/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.80/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.81/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 Henderson grew 25.2% from $20.61/hr (2019) to $25.80/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.81/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 Henderson 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 Henderson
Examining a part-time schedule, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week can expect to take home around $33,965 per year. This contrasts with full-time earnings, which can significantly increase through overtime opportunities and specialized work. Per-diem arrangements for technicians involved in commercial projects often add layers to income, with pay ranging from $30 to $55 per hour, alongside daily stipends of $80-$150. In Henderson, various employer types influence wages; residential service companies might offer lower rates but provide benefits like health insurance, while large data centers or commercial contractors often pay higher hourly rates without additional perks. Negotiating compensation effectively is key for many in the field, especially when factoring in the trade-off between hourly earnings and the stability that comes with benefits typically provided by larger employers.
More salary data for Henderson, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Henderson in 2026?
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How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Henderson?
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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 Henderson. 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 Henderson 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