Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Muskegon, MI: $26.82 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Muskegon, MI runs $26.82 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,775 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Muskegon's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,467 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Muskegon, MI earn a median hourly rate of $26.82, which is lower than the national median of $28.93. This discrepancy highlights the regional economic factors within Muskegon and reflects its cost of living index of 92.519, indicating that living expenses are below the national average. For part-time workers, those dedicating three days a week, this rate means earnings of approximately $1,077 per week before taxes, a substantial amount for service roles that often involve residential service truck routes or commercial systems maintenance. Entry-level positions start at about $18.14 per hour, while experienced technicians can earn up to $37.41. These figures are drawn from the latest estimates 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) | $18.14 | $145.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.67 | $173.34 |
| Median (P50) | $26.82 | $214.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.71 | $229.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.41 | $299.25 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Muskegon
Based on $26.82/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.82/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Muskegon, MI can expect to earn approximately $55,779 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,180. With a cost-of-living index of 92.52 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Muskegon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Muskegon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,072.67 | $4,648 | $55,779 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $643.60 | $2,789 | $33,467 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $429.07 | $1,859 | $22,311 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Muskegon) | $26.82 |
| 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 Muskegon, MI earn a median of $55,775 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.31% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.00% below the Michigan state average of $59,335.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.82/hr = $33,467/year (purchasing power: $36,173).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,779/year (purchasing power: $60,289).
CoL index: 92.519 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.51/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.83/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.82/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Muskegon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.51/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.66/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.70/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.83/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.82/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.84/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 Muskegon grew 20.1% from $21.51/hr (2019) to $25.83/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.84/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 Muskegon 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 Muskegon
Part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Muskegon, focused on the three-day-a-week schedule, can anticipate annual earnings around $56,100 compared to their full-time counterparts. For per diem opportunities, specialized technicians working on out-of-town projects often earn additional compensation, ranging from $80 to $150 a day on top of hourly rates between $30 and $55. In Muskegon, different employment avenues such as residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and self-employed contractors present varied hourly rates. While residential service technicians may earn less to gain health insurance benefits, higher hourly rates are available for those self-employed without such coverage, sometimes exceeding $160 per hour during peak demand. Given the dynamics of the trade, understanding these factors can enable mechanics and installers to negotiate their hourly pay effectively in the local job market, taking into account the evolving landscape of refrigerants, tax credits for heat pumps, and ongoing training needs.
More salary data for Muskegon, MI:
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 Muskegon. 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