Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Detroit, MI: $29.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Detroit, MI runs $29.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,304 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Detroit's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.3, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,380 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Detroit, the projected hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers will be $29.95 in 2026, which is slightly above the national hourly median of $28.93. This rate offers significant opportunities for both full-time professionals and those considering part-time work or per-diem positions. For instance, a mechanic working three days a week at 24 hours can expect to earn nearly $718 weekly, which translates to approximately $37,336 annually. The hourly range spans from $20.32 for entry-level positions to $45.34 for top earners. Official BLS data indicates that this pay structure reflects the various environments in which these mechanics operate, including residential service routes, commercial settings like mechanical rooms and data centers, and specialized work with refrigeration systems.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.32 | $162.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.87 | $182.97 |
| Median (P50) | $29.95 | $239.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.31 | $306.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.34 | $362.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Detroit
Based on $29.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.95/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Detroit, MI can expect to earn approximately $62,300 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,942. With a cost-of-living index of 100.30 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Detroit.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Detroit
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,198.08 | $5,192 | $62,300 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.85 | $3,115 | $37,380 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.23 | $2,077 | $24,920 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Detroit) | $29.95 |
| 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 Detroit, MI earn a median of $62,304 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.54% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.00% above the Michigan state average of $59,338.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.95/hr = $37,380/year (purchasing power: $37,269).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,300/year (purchasing power: $62,115).
CoL index: 100.298 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$21.23/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+46.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Detroit (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.23/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.39/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.10/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 Detroit grew 35.9% from $21.23/hr (2019) to $28.85/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.10/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 Detroit 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 Detroit
Examining the compensation landscape reveals that part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can have a varied earning potential, especially in the context of traditional full-time roles. A part-time tech working 3 days a week and basing their hours around typical projects can find opportunities that net them significantly less than those on full-time schedules. Meanwhile, per diem workers engaged in contract or agency positions regularly earn $30-$55 hourly, supplemented with per diem rates ranging from $80-$150 for travel-related jobs. The varied employer types in Detroit, including residential service companies and commercial contractors, lead to different pay structures; for example, self-employed contractors might command hourly rates of $90-$160 during peak seasons, while larger commercial HVAC outfits may offer more stable, salaried opportunities. Benefits like health insurance can also tilt the scales on earning decisions, encouraging some technicians to accept lower hourly rates for stable benefits. Negotiation tips for hourly workers in Detroit could focus on understanding market rates, the specific skills required per contract, and the value of certifications like EPA Section 608 and NATE.
More salary data for Detroit, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Detroit in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Detroit paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Detroit?
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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 Detroit. 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