Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Billerica, MA: $33.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Billerica, MA runs $33.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,284 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Billerica's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,174 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Billerica, Massachusetts, those working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $33.79 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median hourly rate of $28.93. This elevated hourly pay opens doors for various employment opportunities across both residential and commercial sectors. Part-time workers, for instance, operating on a typical three-day workweek can earn approximately $1,622 weekly. In Billerica, hourly wages for entry-level positions start around $21.51, while top earners in the field can command as much as $51.92 per hour. The variety of settings, ranging from residential service routes to commercial rooftops and mechanical rooms, allows for flexibility and diversity in work experience, all while providing competitive compensation reflective of local living costs.
About the Billerica Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) 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) | $21.51 | $172.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.99 | $223.92 |
| Median (P50) | $33.79 | $270.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.65 | $341.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.92 | $415.36 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Billerica
Based on $33.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.79/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Billerica, MA can expect to earn approximately $70,290 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,552. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Billerica.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Billerica
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,351.74 | $5,858 | $70,290 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $811.04 | $3,515 | $42,174 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $540.69 | $2,343 | $28,116 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Billerica) | $33.79 |
| 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 Billerica, MA earn a median of $70,284 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.80% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $72,608.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.79/hr = $42,174/year (purchasing power: $38,870).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,290/year (purchasing power: $64,784).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Billerica (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.57/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.08/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 Billerica grew 25.2% from $26.00/hr (2019) to $32.55/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.08/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 Billerica 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 Billerica
When examining the part-time earning potential, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week might bring home about $42,407 annually, which is significantly lower than full-time earnings but still respectable given the flexible hours. The per-diem landscape also presents unique financial opportunities; travel technicians can earn an additional $80-$150 daily, alongside base rates ranging from $30 to $55 per hour. Residential service calls typically have minimums between $90 and $180. Meanwhile, self-employed contractors in high-cost-of-living areas can achieve effective rates of $90 to $160 per hour during peak seasons. Competitiveness in hourly rates varies by employer type, with residential service companies potentially offering lower rates with health benefits, while commercial sectors might lean towards higher hourly pay without benefits. Negotiating for better terms is crucial; communicating skills and certifications, such as EPA Section 608 and NATE, can be valuable assets in discussions with potential employers in the Billerica area.
More salary data for Billerica, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Billerica. 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 Billerica 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