Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Berkeley, NJ: $31.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Berkeley, NJ runs $31.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,515 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,715 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, NJ, the median hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $31.02 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $28.93. This premium can have a significant impact for workers in various capacities, such as part-time employees averaging three days per week or those engaged in per-diem assignments. In residential service roles, mechanics typically operate from service trucks, addressing customer needs in homes, while installers may work with rooftop units in commercial buildings or precision cooling systems in data centers. Those starting in the field might see an hourly rate around $20.20, whereas top earners can make up to $48.08, reflecting broad opportunities and varying experience levels in the local market.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($70,000) 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) | $20.20 | $161.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.24 | $193.94 |
| Median (P50) | $31.02 | $248.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.74 | $301.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.08 | $384.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $31.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.02/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, NJ can expect to earn approximately $64,525 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,226. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.86 | $5,377 | $64,525 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.51 | $3,226 | $38,715 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.34 | $2,151 | $25,810 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Berkeley) | $31.02 |
| 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 Berkeley, NJ earn a median of $64,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.21% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% below the New Jersey state average of $65,831.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.02/hr = $38,715/year (purchasing power: $33,607).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,525/year (purchasing power: $56,011).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.87/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.78/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.21/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 Berkeley grew 25.2% from $23.87/hr (2019) to $29.88/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.21/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Moving into part-time employment, a mechanic working three days a week for 24 hours would earn around $39,408 annually, highlighting a compromise to full-time earnings. Per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics in Berkeley can command $80-$150 per day on top of an hourly rate ranging between $30 and $55 for industrial projects. This arrangement proves advantageous for those who prefer flexibility but may sacrifice stability in benefits. The work landscape varies significantly based on employer type, with residential service firms, commercial contractors, and data center operations presenting distinct pay potential. Self-employed contractors can achieve effective rates of $90-$160 during peak seasons. Mechanics should weigh the allure of higher hourly pay against the security that benefits provide, and negotiate based on local market trends and their capability, especially with opportunities driven by the demand for heat pump installations bolstered by IRA tax credits.
More salary data for Berkeley, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Berkeley in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Berkeley?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Berkeley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Berkeley?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Berkeley?
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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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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