Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Portland, ME: $30.39 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Portland, ME runs $30.39 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,212 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.9, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.83 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,924 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Portland, ME, can expect an attractive median hourly pay of $30.39, surpassing the national hourly median of $28.93 by about 5.05%. This hourly rate allows for a solid income whether working full-time or part-time. For instance, those on a part-time schedule, such as three days a week, can still achieve significant earnings while focusing on frequent tasks in various environments, including residential service routes and commercial settings like mechanical rooms and data centers. Entry-level technicians may start at around $24.65 an hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $38.38 an hour, making this a lucrative field with diverse opportunities for both employed and self-employed workers. This data reflects official figures based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.65 | $197.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.34 | $226.74 |
| Median (P50) | $30.39 | $243.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.29 | $298.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.38 | $307.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $30.39/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.39/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, ME can expect to earn approximately $63,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,466. With a cost-of-living index of 101.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,215.52 | $5,267 | $63,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $729.31 | $3,160 | $37,924 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $486.21 | $2,107 | $25,283 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Portland) | $30.39 |
| 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 Portland, ME earn a median of $63,212 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.05% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 11.00% above the Maine state average of $56,948.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.39/hr = $37,924/year (purchasing power: $37,233).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,207/year (purchasing power: $62,054).
CoL index: 101.858 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.94/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.39/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.94/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.54/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.08/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.39/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.55/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 Portland grew 22.3% from $23.94/hr (2019) to $29.27/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.55/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 Portland 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 Portland
Looking at the financial implications of part-time work, a mechanic operating three days a week could bring home approximately $37,880 annually, which is considerably less than what full-time technicians would make, given the potential for overtime. Per diem workers, often called in for out-of-town projects, have the chance to earn between $80 and $150 daily in addition to hourly pay rates that can range from $30 to $55. Moreover, the earning structure varies widely across different types of employers in Portland—from residential service companies, which may offer commission-based structures leading to higher overall earnings, to commercial HVAC contractors and technical support roles that provide more stability with less variability in income. Mechanics willing to accept lower hourly rates might benefit from comprehensive health insurance, while those pursuing lucrative contracts may see higher hourly pay without benefits. For others, negotiating effectively around these factors can make a significant difference in overall compensation.
More salary data for Portland, ME:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Portland in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Portland?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Portland paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Portland?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Portland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Maine
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 Portland. 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, 7-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