Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Grants Pass, OR: $22.85 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Grants Pass, OR runs $22.85 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $47,530 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Grants Pass's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.8, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $23.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,518 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Grants Pass, Oregon earn a median hourly rate of $22.85, which is markedly lower than the national median of $28.93. This disparity can have significant implications for those working part-time or on a per-diem basis. For instance, a part-time employee working three days a week typically puts in about 24 hours, translating to an annual income of approximately $27,600, not accounting for overtime or benefits. In contrast, self-employed contractors or mechanics in high-demand settings—like supermarkets or commercial data centers—can earn a range from $18.22 at the entry level to $36.99 at the top end based on experience and specialization. These figures reflect the official BLS hourly data for 2026, emphasizing the varied earning potential within different sectors of HVAC work.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.22 | $145.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.51 | $180.07 |
| Median (P50) | $22.85 | $182.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.43 | $227.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.99 | $295.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grants Pass
Based on $22.85/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $22.85/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grants Pass, OR can expect to earn approximately $47,530 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,421. With a cost-of-living index of 97.76 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grants Pass.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grants Pass
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $914.03 | $3,961 | $47,530 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $548.42 | $2,376 | $28,518 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $365.61 | $1,584 | $19,012 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Grants Pass) | $22.85 |
| 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 Grants Pass, OR earn a median of $47,530 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.01% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 20.50% below the Oregon state average of $59,786.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $22.85/hr = $28,518/year (purchasing power: $29,171).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $47,530/year (purchasing power: $48,619).
CoL index: 97.76 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.43/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.01/hr
2026 Current Est.
$22.85/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Grants Pass (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.43/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.15/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.60/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.01/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $22.85/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $23.72/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 Grants Pass grew 13.3% from $19.43/hr (2019) to $22.01/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $23.72/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 Grants Pass 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 Grants Pass
Looking at the earnings potential for part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers reveals a different picture from full-time employment. For those working a 24-hour week, annual income reflects around $27,600, compared to a full-time commitment, which would yield closer to $47,530 annually. For those willing to travel on per-diem jobs, the situation changes again. Travel HVAC technicians can expect daily stipends ranging from $80 to $150, combined with base pay of $30 to $55 per hour, making these opportunities particularly lucrative. Employers in Grants Pass vary from residential service firms, which may offer lower base rates but include health benefits, to larger commercial HVAC operations that pay a stable salary with potential overtime. This can be critical when considering trade-offs between lower hourly wages with health benefits versus higher pay without benefits. Negotiation around hourly rates is essential, especially in a competitive market fueled by an aging workforce and increased demand due to initiatives like the IRA tax credits for heat pump installations. Understanding the unique dynamics of employer types can provide valuable insights for those seeking to maximize their hourly income in this field.
More salary data for Grants Pass, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Grants Pass in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Grants Pass?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Grants Pass paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Grants Pass?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Grants Pass?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Oregon
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 Grants Pass. 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