Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Omaha, NE: $29.67 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Omaha, NE runs $29.67 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,713 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Omaha's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.9, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.28 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,030 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Omaha, Nebraska, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $29.67, which is slightly above the national median of $28.93. This competitive hourly rate allows for significant earning potential for part-time workers, particularly those working three days a week, who can expect earnings from various job settings including residential service routes and commercial HVAC environments. The hourly rate spans a range from $21.63 for entry-level positions to noteworthy figures as high as $39.66 for top earners in the industry. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) hourly data indicates that this profession offers both steady employment opportunities and room for growth, particularly in specialized areas like data center cooling and supermarket refrigeration systems.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.63 | $173.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.73 | $181.81 |
| Median (P50) | $29.67 | $237.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.30 | $290.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.66 | $317.27 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Omaha
Based on $29.67/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.67/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Omaha, NE can expect to earn approximately $61,717 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,606. With a cost-of-living index of 91.91 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Omaha.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Omaha
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,186.87 | $5,143 | $61,717 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $712.12 | $3,086 | $37,030 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $474.75 | $2,057 | $24,687 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Omaha) | $29.67 |
| 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 Omaha, NE earn a median of $61,713 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.56% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 18.00% above the Nebraska state average of $52,299.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.67/hr = $37,030/year (purchasing power: $40,289).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,717/year (purchasing power: $67,149).
CoL index: 91.911 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.58/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.67/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Omaha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.15/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.26/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.67/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.81/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 Omaha grew 12.7% from $25.37/hr (2019) to $28.58/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.81/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 Omaha 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 Omaha
Part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working 24 hours a week can earn over $46,000 annually, a substantial income that allows for a comfortable lifestyle in Omaha. For those seeking flexible work arrangements, per diem positions provide an attractive alternative, with daily pay ranging from $80 to $150 on top of hourly rates that can vary between $30 and $55. Self-employed contractors can expect to effectively earn between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons, reflecting the market demand and competition. Furthermore, hourly rates can differ significantly based on the type of employer, with residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors offering variable pay structures. Mechanics often face the choice between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates with health insurance, making negotiation skills crucial. Understanding the contracting environment, including the burgeoning residential heat pump segment bolstered by IRA tax credits, can enhance an HVAC technician's position in the Omaha job market.
More salary data for Omaha, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Omaha in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Omaha?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Omaha paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Omaha?
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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 Omaha. 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