Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Scottsbluff, NE: $24.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Scottsbluff, NE runs $24.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,197 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Scottsbluff's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,124 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Scottsbluff, NE, those working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median hourly rate of $24.14. This is notably below the national median of $28.93, reflecting the region's unique economic landscape and cost of living index of 91.5. For part-time workers, such as those servicing residential or commercial systems three days a week, this translates into a weekly income of around $290 for a typical 24-hour work schedule. The hourly pay range for mechanics in this line of work varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $16.03 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $34.69. This range illustrates the potential for growth in earnings, especially for those who focus on specialized roles in high-demand settings, such as data centers and refrigeration systems for supermarkets.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($56,000) 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) | $16.03 | $128.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.44 | $163.54 |
| Median (P50) | $24.14 | $193.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $29.21 | $233.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.69 | $277.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Scottsbluff
Based on $24.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.14/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Scottsbluff, NE can expect to earn approximately $50,207 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,966. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Scottsbluff.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Scottsbluff
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $965.53 | $4,184 | $50,207 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $579.32 | $2,510 | $30,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $386.21 | $1,674 | $20,083 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Scottsbluff) | $24.14 |
| 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 Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $50,197 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.58% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $52,289.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.14/hr = $30,124/year (purchasing power: $32,923).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,207/year (purchasing power: $54,871).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$18.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $18.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $18.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $19.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $21.84/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.64/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.06/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 Scottsbluff grew 25.2% from $18.57/hr (2019) to $23.25/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.06/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 Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff
Considering part-time earning potential, a mechanic or installer working three days a week could expect an annual take-home of about $15,080, considerably less than a full-time colleague earning a steady wage. For those in more dynamic roles, per-diem options can also be lucrative. Travel HVAC technicians taking on projects in larger commercial contexts might earn $30-$55 per hour, in addition to daily per-diem reimbursements ranging from $80 to $150. In contrast, residential technicians often set service call minimums between $90 and $180. Hourly rates also differ based on employer type; for instance, large commercial contractors may offer stable salaries, while self-employed contractors operate under a different model that can yield $90-$160 if effectively managed. Some may choose to accept lower hourly rates for benefits such as health insurance, indicating a trade-off between immediate earnings and long-term support. In a market like Scottsbluff, skills in negotiation are vital when determining one's rate of pay, especially in light of a growing demand for HVAC expertise across various sectors, driven in part by changes in technology and regulatory standards.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, NE:
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 Scottsbluff. 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 Scottsbluff 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