Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Sandusky, OH: $28.95 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Sandusky, OH runs $28.95 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,203 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Sandusky's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.3, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.42 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,123 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Sandusky, Ohio, the projected hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $28.95. This figure is slightly above the national hourly median of $28.93, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape for professionals in the area. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $694 per week before taxes, allowing for a decent income while maintaining flexibility. The pay scale ranges significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $18.36 per hour and experienced workers earning as much as $44.77 per hour. This data derives from official BLS hourly statistics, highlighting both the opportunities and financial potential available in the field across various work settings, including residential service routes and commercial units.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.36 | $146.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.66 | $181.31 |
| Median (P50) | $28.95 | $231.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.83 | $286.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $44.77 | $358.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sandusky
Based on $28.95/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.95/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sandusky, OH can expect to earn approximately $60,206 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,734. With a cost-of-living index of 89.28 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sandusky.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sandusky
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,157.80 | $5,017 | $60,206 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $694.68 | $3,010 | $36,123 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $463.12 | $2,007 | $24,082 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Sandusky) | $28.95 |
| 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 Sandusky, OH earn a median of $60,203 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.05% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,934.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.95/hr = $36,123/year (purchasing power: $40,460).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,206/year (purchasing power: $67,434).
CoL index: 89.281 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.95/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Sandusky (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.12/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.22/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.95/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.05/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 Sandusky grew 25.2% from $22.27/hr (2019) to $27.88/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.05/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 Sandusky 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 Sandusky
Part-time mechanics earning $28.95 hourly can take home roughly $36,000 annually if they work a standard 24-hour week, a substantial income compared to many local jobs. For those in the per diem roles, the reality can be even more lucrative, as travel HVAC technicians often receive additional per diem rates ranging from $80 to $150 daily while working on out-of-town commercial projects, combined with hourly pay that can reach $55. This situation allows skilled workers greater financial rewards, especially during peak seasons. Additionally, the nature of employment plays a significant role in hourly wages; residential service companies, commercial contractors, and self-employed technicians may each exhibit different pay scales due to varying operational costs and service demands. Moreover, some professionals might opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for health benefits, illustrating the trade-offs involved in compensation negotiations. As the industry evolves amid the growing demand for heat pump installations and the transition to new refrigerants, there are opportunities for increased earnings and job stability for HVAC workers in Sandusky, making effective negotiation skills critical in this competitive market.
More salary data for Sandusky, OH:
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 Sandusky. 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, 2-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