Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Braintree, MA: $33.68 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Braintree, MA runs $33.68 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $70,047 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Braintree's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.04 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,032 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Braintree, Massachusetts will earn a median hourly pay of $33.68, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $28.93. This difference offers appealing opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers, particularly those engaged in residential service routes or commercial settings such as rooftop units and data center cooling areas. For part-time mechanics working three days per week, the pay translates into a manageable income while maintaining the flexibility that some prefer. The hourly range in Braintree will span from $23.89 for entry-level positions at the lower end to up to $51.53 for top earners with specialized skills or substantial experience, making it a financially viable option for professionals at various career stages.
About the Braintree 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) | $23.89 | $191.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $27.76 | $222.09 |
| Median (P50) | $33.68 | $269.43 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.37 | $338.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.53 | $412.21 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Braintree
Based on $33.68/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.68/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Braintree, MA can expect to earn approximately $70,053 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,415. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Braintree.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Braintree
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,347.17 | $5,838 | $70,053 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $808.30 | $3,503 | $42,032 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $538.87 | $2,335 | $28,021 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Braintree) | $33.68 |
| 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 Braintree, MA earn a median of $70,047 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.41% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $72,588.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.68/hr = $42,032/year (purchasing power: $38,739).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $70,053/year (purchasing power: $64,565).
CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.44/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.68/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Braintree (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.90/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.32/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.47/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $36.25/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.44/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.68/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.97/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 Braintree grew 25.2% from $25.91/hr (2019) to $32.44/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.97/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 Braintree 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 Braintree
When considering the earning potential of part-time mechanics, taking home a solid income during a typical 24-hour work week can approach around $40,000 annually. For those who opt for per-diem work or travel HVAC tech roles, earnings can be even more substantial, with professionals making daily rates between $80 and $150 on top of their base pay of $30 to $55 per hour. Self-employed contractors in Braintree may command even higher effective rates, sometimes reaching $90 to $160 per hour, especially during peak seasons. Employers such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC firms often offer varying pay structures—residential specialists may receive commissions that push total earnings higher, while commercial roles usually provide more consistent, salaried compensation. Workers also face choices between higher hourly rates without benefits and lower rates that come with health insurance—this trade-off requires careful negotiation and planning, particularly in a high-cost location like Braintree.
More salary data for Braintree, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Braintree in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Braintree?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Braintree paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Braintree?
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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 Braintree. 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 Braintree 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