Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Chapel Hill, NC: $28.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Chapel Hill, NC runs $28.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,857 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Chapel Hill's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,320 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chapel Hill, the projected hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $28.30, slightly below the national hourly median of $28.93. This figure reflects a competitive wage for professionals operating in diverse environments, including residential service routes, commercial HVAC systems, and specialized cooling units in data centers. For part-time workers, such as those aiming to clock in three days a week, this translates to a weekly income of approximately $453 for 24 hours of labor. Entry-level technicians can expect to earn around $17.93 per hour, while top earners may see rates as high as $43.86. Understanding this hourly rate, which is derived from the estimated annual salaries, is crucial for navigating the financial landscape of this field in Chapel Hill.
About the Chapel Hill 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) | $17.93 | $143.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.73 | $173.84 |
| Median (P50) | $28.30 | $226.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.53 | $284.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.86 | $350.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chapel Hill
Based on $28.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.30/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chapel Hill, NC can expect to earn approximately $58,867 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,962. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chapel Hill.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chapel Hill
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,132.05 | $4,906 | $58,867 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.23 | $2,943 | $35,320 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $452.82 | $1,962 | $23,547 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Chapel Hill) | $28.30 |
| 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 Chapel Hill, NC earn a median of $58,857 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.19% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.80% above the North Carolina state average of $54,598.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.30/hr = $35,320/year (purchasing power: $37,735).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,867/year (purchasing power: $62,892).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Chapel Hill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.77/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.73/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.36/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.38/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 Chapel Hill grew 25.2% from $21.77/hr (2019) to $27.26/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.38/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 Chapel 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 Chapel Hill
When looking at the annual earnings potential, part-time mechanics can take home roughly $23,529, significantly less than full-time counterparts. Per-diem workers, often traveling for out-of-town projects, can expect an additional $80 to $150 daily on top of their base hourly rates, generally falling between $30 and $55. This flexibility attracts many who prefer to work varied schedules or specialize in high-demand commercial projects. Hourly rates differ depending on employer type; for example, residential service companies tend to offer commissions that can boost earnings, whereas commercial firms may pay straight salaries with overtime opportunities. Mechanics accepting lower hourly rates might prioritize benefits like health insurance, showcasing a common trade-off in the industry. Knowledge of local market conditions and effective negotiation strategies can empower technicians to maximize their earning potential across different employment avenues in Chapel Hill, NC.
More salary data for Chapel Hill, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Chapel Hill in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Chapel Hill?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Chapel Hill paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Chapel Hill?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Chapel 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 Chapel 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 Chapel 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