Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Wooster, OH: $28.33 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Wooster, OH runs $28.33 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,938 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Wooster's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.7, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.24 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,359 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wooster, Ohio, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $28.33. This rate is slightly below the national hourly median of $28.93, reflecting regional economic factors and the cost of living in the area, which is indexed at 90.7, indicating it's below the national average. For part-time workers, such as those operating on a three-day week schedule, this translates to approximately $1,360 weekly, or around $70,720 annually, significantly aided by opportunities in residential service routes, commercial building rooftops, and supermarket refrigeration setups. The hourly pay range in Wooster varies from $20.22 for entry-level roles to as high as $43.50 for experienced professionals, allowing for a spectrum of earning potential dependent on skills and specialization, including certifications like EPA Section 608 and NATE.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($58,000) 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) | $20.22 | $161.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.45 | $187.62 |
| Median (P50) | $28.33 | $226.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.68 | $277.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.50 | $348.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wooster
Based on $28.33/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.33/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wooster, OH can expect to earn approximately $58,932 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,999. With a cost-of-living index of 90.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wooster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wooster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,133.30 | $4,911 | $58,932 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $679.98 | $2,947 | $35,359 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.32 | $1,964 | $23,573 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Wooster) | $28.33 |
| 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 Wooster, OH earn a median of $58,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,886.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.33/hr = $35,359/year (purchasing power: $38,984).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,932/year (purchasing power: $64,974).
CoL index: 90.7 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.80/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.29/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.33/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.80/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.63/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.47/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.29/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.33/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.41/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 Wooster grew 25.2% from $21.80/hr (2019) to $27.29/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.41/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 Wooster 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 Wooster
For part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Wooster, earning potential can differ considerably from full-time employment. A worker in a per-diem role may earn between $80-$150 per day in addition to a base of $30-$55 per hour, particularly in large commercial projects or data centers. Self-employed contractors often command even higher rates, especially during peak seasons, achieving effective wages of $90-$160 per hour in high cost of living markets. Additionally, the hourly rate can fluctuate depending on the employer type, such as residential service companies, which may offer lower rates but include health benefits, compared to higher hourly pay from commercial operations and manufacturers without benefits. Understanding the nuances of benefits and negotiating effectively, especially in a city like Wooster where competition among service companies can vary, can significantly impact overall compensation for HVAC professionals.
More salary data for Wooster, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Wooster in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Wooster?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Wooster paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Wooster?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Wooster?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 Wooster. 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 Wooster 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