Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Kirkwood, MO: $27.52 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Kirkwood, MO runs $27.52 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,253 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Kirkwood's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.6, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.72 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,348 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kirkwood, Missouri, those working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median hourly pay of $27.52, slightly below the national hourly median of $28.93. This wage reflects diverse employment settings within the trade, which includes residential service routes, commercial building services, and specialty refrigeration jobs. For part-time workers on a schedule of three days per week, their earnings can yield about $21,173 annually, while those who undertake per-diem work in settings such as data centers or supermarkets can benefit from additional daily allowances. Entry-level technicians might expect to start around $18.61 per hour, with experienced professionals reaching up to $41.88 per hour based on client needs and service demands in Kirkwood.
About the Kirkwood Market
Salary estimated from Missouri average ($58,000) 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) | $18.61 | $148.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.94 | $175.50 |
| Median (P50) | $27.52 | $220.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.49 | $275.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.88 | $335.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kirkwood
Based on $27.52/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.52/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kirkwood, MO can expect to earn approximately $57,247 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,027. With a cost-of-living index of 89.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kirkwood.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kirkwood
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,100.91 | $4,771 | $57,247 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $660.54 | $2,862 | $34,348 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $440.36 | $1,908 | $22,899 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Kirkwood) | $27.52 |
| 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 Kirkwood, MO earn a median of $57,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.85% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.80% below the Missouri state average of $57,714.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.52/hr = $34,348/year (purchasing power: $38,335).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,247/year (purchasing power: $63,892).
CoL index: 89.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.52/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kirkwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.98/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.13/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.33/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.52/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.57/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 Kirkwood grew 25.2% from $21.17/hr (2019) to $26.51/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.57/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 Kirkwood 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 Kirkwood
When considering part-time earnings in this field, mechanics working 24 hours a week can see a financial contrast with full-timers, significantly underscoring the income disparities between employment types. Per diem positions can be lucrative, with travel HVAC technicians earning between $30 and $55 per hour, plus daily allowances that may range from $80 to $150 for out-of-town projects. Residential service companies often use commission structures, allowing some technicians to enhance their effective hourly pay significantly during peak seasons. However, mechanics employed in commercial environments might enjoy stability with salary options that ensure consistent hours and benefits. Self-employed contractors in higher cost-of-living markets might charge effective rates from $90 to $160 per hour, reflecting localized demand for specific skills. As the workforce shifts and incorporates new technologies like heat pumps under federal incentives, these technicians must effectively negotiate rates that balance job security, benefits, and hourly pay in an evolving industry.
More salary data for Kirkwood, MO:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kirkwood in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kirkwood?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kirkwood paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Kirkwood?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Kirkwood?
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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 Kirkwood. 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 Kirkwood 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