Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Apex, NC: $26.43 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Apex, NC runs $26.43 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $54,970 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Apex's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $32,988 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Apex, North Carolina, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $26.43 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $28.93. This hourly rate is significant for those seeking part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week on residential service truck routes or in commercial settings like rooftop units and refrigeration systems. The pay range is quite broad; entry-level positions may start around $17.10, while skilled mechanics can earn as much as $40.20 per hour. These figures are extrapolated from annual salary data and illustrate the earning potential for both established contractors and newcomers in the industry across a diverse set of working environments, from data centers to self-employed contractor roles.
About the Apex Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($52,000) 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) | $17.10 | $136.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.57 | $172.59 |
| Median (P50) | $26.43 | $211.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $32.87 | $262.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.20 | $321.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Apex
Based on $26.43/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.43/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Apex, NC can expect to earn approximately $54,980 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,719. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Apex.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Apex
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,057.30 | $4,582 | $54,980 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $634.38 | $2,749 | $32,988 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $422.92 | $1,833 | $21,992 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Apex) | $26.43 |
| 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 Apex, NC earn a median of $54,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.70% above the North Carolina state average of $54,587.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.43/hr = $32,988/year (purchasing power: $35,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $54,980/year (purchasing power: $58,739).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.34/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.43/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Apex (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.34/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.45/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.43/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.44/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 Apex grew 25.2% from $20.34/hr (2019) to $25.46/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.44/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 Apex 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 Apex
In considering part-time work in this field, a technician earning $26.43 per hour over a typical 24-hour work week would take home around $33,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time equivalent. For those involved in per diem work, opportunities abound, especially for travel HVAC techs, who can earn between $30-$55 per hour plus per diem rates ranging from $80 to $150 for out-of-town projects. Residential service call minimums can vary quite a bit, often starting as high as $90-$180. The type of employer significantly influences hourly rates as well: residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and self-employed technicians all present unique rate structures based on demand, overhead costs, and benefits associated with employment. Some mechanics may choose positions offering lower hourly pay in exchange for health insurance and other benefits, while others are content to accept higher rates that do not include these perks. Understanding these dynamics will aid in negotiations and help individuals align their professional goals with their financial expectations in Apex's HVAC market.
More salary data for Apex, NC:
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 Apex. 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 Apex 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