Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Cherry Hill, NJ: $30.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Cherry Hill, NJ runs $30.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,978 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Cherry Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $26.70 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,391 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

With a projected hourly pay of $30.76 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Cherry Hill, NJ, this compensation exceeds the national median of $28.93. This competitive rate allows part-time workers, who often operate on flexible schedules such as three days per week, to earn approximately $1,479 weekly based on a typical 24-hour workweek. The hourly wage caters not just to full-time technicians but also per-diem workers servicing various locations, such as residential service routes or commercial HVAC installations. The pay range for entry-level positions starts at $20.49, while seasoned professionals can make upwards of $47.67, reflecting the diverse opportunities across work settings that include rooftops of commercial buildings and the technical precision required in data centers.
About the Cherry Hill 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) | $20.49 | $163.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.47 | $195.76 |
| Median (P50) | $30.76 | $246.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.79 | $310.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.67 | $381.39 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cherry Hill
Based on $30.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.76/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cherry Hill, NJ can expect to earn approximately $63,985 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,914. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Cherry Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cherry Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,230.47 | $5,332 | $63,985 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.28 | $3,199 | $38,391 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.19 | $2,133 | $25,594 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Cherry Hill) | $30.76 |
| 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 Cherry Hill, NJ earn a median of $63,978 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.32% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.80% below the New Jersey state average of $65,821.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.76/hr = $38,391/year (purchasing power: $33,325).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,985/year (purchasing power: $55,542).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.63/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Cherry Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.66/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.94/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 Cherry Hill grew 25.2% from $23.67/hr (2019) to $29.63/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.94/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 Cherry Hill 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 Cherry Hill
Contracting in the HVAC field can lead to varied earning potentials, especially for those considering part-time roles. For mechanics working just three days a week, the annual take-home pay can amount to approximately $76,668, significantly lower than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem and agency workers can expect additional daily compensation, with project-based travel technicians earning anywhere from $80 to $150 per day on top of their hourly base of $30 to $55. Self-employed contractors in high-cost areas may reach effective rates between $90 to $160 per hour during peak seasons. Hourly rates fluctuate depending on the employer, with residential service companies often prioritizing competitive commissions that incentivize high performance, while commercial contractors usually offer steady hourly pay without commission pressure. Understanding these dynamics is key for trade professionals to negotiate effectively, balancing hourly pay with benefits such as health insurance that larger firms may provide.
More salary data for Cherry Hill, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Cherry Hill in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Cherry Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Cherry Hill?
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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 Cherry Hill. 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 Cherry Hill 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