Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Metairie, LA: $30.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Metairie, LA runs $30.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,858 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Metairie's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,717 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Metairie, Louisiana, is projected to be $30.22, slightly above the national median of $28.93. This competitive rate reflects the local market's demand for skilled technicians who can expertly service residential units, commercial building systems, and specialty refrigeration applications. For part-time workers, such as those on a typical 3-day workweek, earning this hourly wage can result in a substantial annual income, especially considering the diverse job environments, from service trucks to complex commercial installations. Hourly rates vary widely, ranging from $18.51 for entry-level positions up to $46.84 for top earners in the field. These rates provide a good foundation for both employed and self-employed technicians as they navigate their career paths in the HVAC sector.
About the Metairie Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) 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) | $18.51 | $148.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.61 | $196.84 |
| Median (P50) | $30.22 | $241.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.16 | $305.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.84 | $374.75 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Metairie
Based on $30.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.22/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Metairie, LA can expect to earn approximately $62,862 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,266. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Metairie.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Metairie
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,208.88 | $5,238 | $62,862 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $725.33 | $3,143 | $37,717 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $483.55 | $2,095 | $25,145 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Metairie) | $30.22 |
| 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 Metairie, LA earn a median of $62,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.46% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 11.20% above the Louisiana state average of $56,527.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.22/hr = $37,717/year (purchasing power: $41,769).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,862/year (purchasing power: $69,614).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Metairie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.20/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.52/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.38/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 Metairie grew 25.2% from $23.25/hr (2019) to $29.11/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.38/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 Metairie 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 Metairie
Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Metairie have the potential to earn significantly while enjoying flexibility in their schedules. A worker taking on 24 hours a week at the average hourly rate could see annual earnings that still surpass some full-time positions without the commitment of a standard 40-hour workweek. Additionally, per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Metairie can be quite lucrative, with travel techs earning $80-$150 a day in per-diem compensation alongside their hourly wages, while residential service calls often have a minimum charge of $90-$180. The variation in pay scales is influenced by employer type—self-employed contractors may command $90-$160 per hour during peak seasons, providing considerable incentives for those choosing entrepreneurial routes versus traditional employment with benefits. Furthermore, it’s important for technicians to navigate negotiations wisely, considering health insurance offers versus higher hourly rates without benefits, capitalizing on market conditions and demands shaped by emerging regulations and evolving refrigerant technologies.
More salary data for Metairie, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Metairie in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Metairie?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Metairie paid hourly or salary?
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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 Metairie. 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 Metairie 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