Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Paducah, KY: $26.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Paducah, KY runs $26.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Paducah's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.1, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,506 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Paducah, Kentucky, earn a median hourly rate of $26.85, which is slightly below the national median of $28.93. This figure can be particularly relevant for those seeking part-time positions, such as working three days a week, as well as for per-diem workers operating in various settings, including residential service routes and commercial mechanical rooms. In Paducah, hourly wages can range from $21.32 for entry-level positions to $37.04 for top earners, indicating a diverse earning potential within the industry. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, reflects the competitive nature of HVAC services in the local market while highlighting the opportunities available for skilled technicians.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.32 | $170.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.16 | $185.30 |
| Median (P50) | $26.85 | $214.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.03 | $232.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.04 | $296.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Paducah
Based on $26.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.85/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Paducah, KY can expect to earn approximately $55,844 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,217. With a cost-of-living index of 86.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Paducah.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Paducah
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,073.91 | $4,654 | $55,844 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $644.35 | $2,792 | $33,506 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $429.57 | $1,861 | $22,337 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Paducah) | $26.85 |
| 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 Paducah, KY earn a median of $55,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $56,974.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.85/hr = $33,506/year (purchasing power: $38,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,844/year (purchasing power: $64,871).
CoL index: 86.084 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.44/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.61/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.87/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 Paducah grew 25.2% from $20.65/hr (2019) to $25.86/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.87/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 Paducah 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 Paducah
Part-time mechanics working in Paducah, averaging 24 hours a week, would take home approximately $33,097 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time workers who can earn more based on overtime and roles in larger companies. For per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, travel assignments can provide daily rates ranging from $80 to $150, atop hourly wages of $30 to $55, depending on project type and location. The variety of employers in the area, from residential service companies to larger commercial HVAC contractors, can also impact hourly rates significantly; residential firms often rely on commission structures, which can result in $90,000 to $130,000 earnings in high-volume scenarios. Understanding these figures can help workers negotiate effectively, balancing the appeal of higher hourly rates against benefits like health insurance often provided by larger employers.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Paducah in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Paducah?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Paducah paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Paducah?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Paducah?
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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 Paducah. 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, 2-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