Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Independence, KY: $27.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Independence, KY runs $27.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,527 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Independence's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,921 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Independence, Kentucky, can expect a median hourly pay of $27.18. This figure falls slightly below the national median hourly rate of $28.93, making it a competitive option for local technicians, especially when considering varying work settings. The hourly wage provides structured compensation for full-time employees, while part-time (working three days a week) and per-diem workers may find themselves balancing flexibility with income—operating in various environments such as residential service routes or commercial mechanical rooms. For entry-level positions, hourly rates can start at about $18.40, whereas top earners in the field can reach as high as $41.37, making it essential for prospective technicians to understand the full pay range in context to local demand.
About the Independence 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) | $18.40 | $147.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.67 | $173.34 |
| Median (P50) | $27.18 | $217.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.06 | $272.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.37 | $330.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Independence
Based on $27.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.18/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Independence, KY can expect to earn approximately $56,535 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,616. With a cost-of-living index of 89.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Independence.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Independence
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.20 | $4,711 | $56,535 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.32 | $2,827 | $33,921 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.88 | $1,884 | $22,614 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Independence) | $27.18 |
| 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 Independence, KY earn a median of $56,527 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.06% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.80% below the Kentucky state average of $56,983.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.18/hr = $33,921/year (purchasing power: $37,985).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,535/year (purchasing power: $63,309).
CoL index: 89.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Independence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.71/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.87/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $21.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.22/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 Independence grew 25.2% from $20.91/hr (2019) to $26.18/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.22/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 Independence 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 Independence
When assessing the earning potential for part-time workers, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week could see significantly different annual earnings than their full-time counterparts. Consideration of per-diem opportunities adds another layer; technicians on out-of-town commercial projects often benefit from additional pay ranging from $80 to $150 per day, on top of a base rate of $30 to $55 per hour. For residential service calls, minimums typically sit between $90 and $180, while self-employed contractors in higher-cost markets may charge effective rates of $90 to $160 per hour during peak seasons. Furthermore, earnings can differ across employer types in Independence, affecting overall job satisfaction and potential. For example, working for residential service companies may offer health insurance and consistent hours at a lower hourly rate compared to high-commission environments, whereas commercial HVAC projects typically pay a stable salary plus overtime. Negotiating offers in the local market requires understanding these trade-offs, allowing skilled technicians to determine personal priorities and maximize their heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in KY.
More salary data for Independence, KY:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Independence, KY
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Independence, KY
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Independence, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Independence in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Independence?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Independence paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Independence?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Independence?
Related Pages
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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 Independence. 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 Independence 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