Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Rochester, NY: $30.14 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Rochester, NY runs $30.14 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,699 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Rochester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.0, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,613 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, New York, the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $30.14 in 2026, exceeding the national hourly median of $28.93. This competitive hourly pay allows for both part-time and per-diem opportunities, providing flexibility for workers seeking employment in various settings such as residential service routes, commercial mechanical rooms, and supermarket refrigeration systems. Entry-level mechanics can expect to earn approximately $21.75 per hour, while the top earners in the field may achieve hourly rates of up to $43.24. Such figures indicate a well-defined pay structure based on experience and specialization and reflect the dynamics of the HVAC labor market in Rochester.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.75 | $174.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.14 | $193.11 |
| Median (P50) | $30.14 | $241.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.47 | $299.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.24 | $345.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Rochester
Based on $30.14/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.14/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Rochester, NY can expect to earn approximately $62,689 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,167. With a cost-of-living index of 97.03 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Rochester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Rochester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,205.56 | $5,224 | $62,689 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $723.33 | $3,134 | $37,613 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $482.22 | $2,090 | $25,076 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Rochester) | $30.14 |
| 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 Rochester, NY earn a median of $62,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% above the New York state average of $62,017.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.14/hr = $37,613/year (purchasing power: $38,763).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,689/year (purchasing power: $64,605).
CoL index: 97.035 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.14/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.35/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.14/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.29/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 Rochester grew 27.8% from $22.71/hr (2019) to $29.03/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.29/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 Rochester 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 Rochester
Part-time technicians who choose to work just three days a week may find themselves taking home a significantly lower annual income compared to their full-time counterparts. For example, working 24 hours weekly at $30.14 per hour results in an annual income of around $37,000, which can affect long-term financial goals. In contrast, per-diem workers engaged in out-of-town projects can enhance their earnings significantly, often receiving both a daily pay rate between $80 and $150 along with their hourly wage, making per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Rochester notably lucrative. Additionally, the hourly wage varies across employer types, with residential service companies and large commercial HVAC contractors offering distinct compensation structures that may include benefits such as health insurance. Many in the industry must decide between accepting a lower hourly wage for the security of benefits or pursuing higher pay without such coverage. Negotiation skills are essential for hourly workers; understanding the going rate for their specific roles within varied market conditions can empower them to secure favorable compensation.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Rochester in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Rochester?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Rochester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Rochester?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Rochester?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New York
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 Rochester. 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