Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $29.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Kansas City, MO runs $29.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,821 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.12 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,095 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median hourly rate of $29.72, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas City, Missouri, are earning slightly above the national hourly median of $28.93. This competitive pay reflects the diverse working conditions associated with this profession, including residential service routes, commercial rooftop units, and specialized environments like data centers. Part-time workers operating three days a week can expect to take home approximately $22,000 annually, while those in per-diem roles often enjoy daily rates that add significantly to base pay. Entry-level professionals start at around $21.64 per hour, while top earners can reach $42.10 per hour, highlighting the potential for significant income growth as skills and experience increase. The figures presented are 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) | $21.64 | $173.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.81 | $190.45 |
| Median (P50) | $29.72 | $237.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.19 | $289.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.10 | $336.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $29.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.72/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $61,825 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,668. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,188.95 | $5,152 | $61,825 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $713.37 | $3,091 | $37,095 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $475.58 | $2,061 | $24,730 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Kansas City) | $29.72 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $61,821 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.74% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 7.10% above the Missouri state average of $57,722.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.72/hr = $37,095/year (purchasing power: $40,084).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,825/year (purchasing power: $66,807).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+14.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $24.24/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.00/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.86/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 Kansas City grew 5.7% from $27.08/hr (2019) to $28.63/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.86/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
A part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week may see a significantly different annual income than their full-time counterparts. Given the fluctuating demand across various sectors, per-diem professionals can often command a lucrative structure where they earn between $80 and $150 per day in additional compensation while working on out-of-town projects. On the other hand, those employed with residential service companies might encounter minimum call-out fees ranging from $90 to $180, creating a unique earning potential. Employer type significantly impacts hourly wages; self-employed contractors in high-cost markets often achieve effective rates of $90-$160 per hour during peak seasons. Negotiating hourly pay can be strategic; while some may opt for positions that provide health benefits at a lower hourly rate, others may prioritize higher pay without benefits. Understanding the dynamics around this can lead to success in securing favorable hourly rates among contractors in Kansas City.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas City in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kansas City?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Kansas City?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Kansas City?
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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 Kansas City. 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