Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Oklahoma City, OK: $28.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Oklahoma City, OK runs $28.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,296 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Oklahoma City's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.4, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.53 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,579 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Oklahoma City, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at a median of $28.51, which is slightly below the national median of $28.93 per hour. This figure is reflective of the wages potential workers might earn across various job settings, including residential service routes and commercial locations like mechanical rooms and data centers. With an hourly range from $17.63 for entry-level positions to $39.61 for top earners, the profession provides a viable income path whether individuals seek full-time employment or are content with part-time work, typically around three days a week. For those pursuing per-diem opportunities, this pay scale allows flexibility while engaging in diverse tasks such as installing or servicing HVAC systems in supermarkets or industrial facilities, and these rates stem from official BLS hourly data.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.63 | $141.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.32 | $170.60 |
| Median (P50) | $28.51 | $228.07 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.60 | $276.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.61 | $316.86 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oklahoma City
Based on $28.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.51/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oklahoma City, OK can expect to earn approximately $59,299 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,211. With a cost-of-living index of 90.41 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oklahoma City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oklahoma City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,140.36 | $4,942 | $59,299 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $684.22 | $2,965 | $35,579 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.14 | $1,977 | $23,719 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Oklahoma City) | $28.51 |
| 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 Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $59,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 16.70% above the Oklahoma state average of $50,810.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.51/hr = $35,579/year (purchasing power: $39,354).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,299/year (purchasing power: $65,590).
CoL index: 90.408 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.46/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.05/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.18/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.60/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 Oklahoma City grew 26.1% from $21.78/hr (2019) to $27.46/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.60/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 Oklahoma City 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 Oklahoma City
Focusing on part-time earnings, a mechanic or installer working three days a week, amounting to about 24 hours, could expect an annual take-home income notably lower than that of a full-time counterpart. A typical company might pay self-employed contractors or per-diem workers between $30 to $55 per hour, complemented by daily per-diem allowances that can reach $150 for traveling assignments. Residential service calls usually guarantee income from $90 to $180. In Oklahoma City, the earnings structure varies significantly depending on the employment setting; residential service companies and commercial contractors often provide varying hourly rates. The trade-off between hourly wage and benefits can influence job choices for many, especially when weighing the security of health insurance against higher pay with fewer benefits. For prospective workers, negotiating the hourly rate can be approached by highlighting specialized skills and certifications, such as EPA Section 608, ensuring they secure a competitive wage while embracing the dynamic opportunities within the HVAC industry.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oklahoma City in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Oklahoma City?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oklahoma City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Oklahoma City?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Oklahoma City?
Related Pages
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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 Oklahoma City. 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