Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Columbia, MO: $27.92 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Columbia, MO runs $27.92 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,073 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Columbia's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbia, Missouri, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $27.92 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $28.93, suggesting a regional variance in compensation. For part-time professionals working three days a week, this hourly rate equates to approximately $1,200 weekly, highlighting a feasible earning potential in typical roles that service residential areas, commercial setups, or specialized environments like data centers. Entry-level positions might expect to see rates starting around $18.70, while top earners in the Columbia area can achieve up to $39.30 per hour, as reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Such dynamics reflect an industry that fuses residential service demands with commercial responsibilities across diverse setups.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.70 | $149.58 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.16 | $177.24 |
| Median (P50) | $27.92 | $223.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.14 | $281.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.30 | $314.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbia
Based on $27.92/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.92/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbia, MO can expect to earn approximately $58,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,501. With a cost-of-living index of 89.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbia.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbia
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,116.69 | $4,839 | $58,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $670.01 | $2,903 | $34,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $446.68 | $1,936 | $23,227 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Columbia) | $27.92 |
| 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 Columbia, MO earn a median of $58,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.49% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% above the Missouri state average of $57,726.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.92/hr = $34,841/year (purchasing power: $38,955).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,068/year (purchasing power: $64,925).
CoL index: 89.438 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.89/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.92/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Columbia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.89/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.92/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.98/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 Columbia grew 1.8% from $26.41/hr (2019) to $26.89/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.98/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 Columbia 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 Columbia
When considering part-time work, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer dedicating 24 hours over three days would see significant annual earnings compared to full-time roles. Given the per-diem structure, many HVAC professionals travel for out-of-town projects, earning between $80 and $150 daily on top of their base pay, typically ranging from $30 to $55 per hour. Residential service calls often have minimum charges from $90 to $180, which can convert into solid earnings for those in self-employment situations, especially during peak seasons where hourly rates can soar to around $90 to $160 in higher-cost markets. Additionally, hourly compensation varies according to employer type; commercial contractors, large data center HVAC teams, and self-employed contractors may offer different benefits, affecting overall satisfaction and financial planning. Many technicians navigate this pay scale by negotiating their hourly rates based on the value of included benefits like health insurance, allowing them to make informed decisions in a competitive job market like Columbia, MO.
More salary data for Columbia, MO:
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 Columbia. 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