Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $28.29 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Chester, PA runs $28.29 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,847 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,307 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $28.29 in 2026. This rate is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $28.93, indicating a competitive but not excessively high-paying local market. For those seeking part-time opportunities, such as working three days a week, the potential take-home earnings can be significant, especially while working on residential service routes that involve servicing equipment in homes, commercial buildings, and specialized environments like data centers. Entry-level positions may start at approximately $20.24 per hour, while top earners can command rates as high as $41.61 per hour. Given the variability in hours depending on the specific job complexity, this hourly range allows for flexibility in earnings based on skill level and demand, with contractors and self-employed workers often enjoying elevated rates during peak seasons.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($62,000) 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) | $20.24 | $161.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.36 | $186.88 |
| Median (P50) | $28.29 | $226.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.57 | $276.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.61 | $332.89 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $28.29/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.29/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $58,845 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,949. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,131.64 | $4,904 | $58,845 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $678.98 | $2,942 | $35,307 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $452.66 | $1,962 | $23,538 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Chester) | $28.29 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $58,847 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.21% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $60,918.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.29/hr = $35,307/year (purchasing power: $36,250).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,845/year (purchasing power: $60,416).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.77/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.25/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.29/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Chester (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 | $21.72/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.59/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.25/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.29/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.37/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 Chester grew 25.2% from $21.77/hr (2019) to $27.25/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.37/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 Chester 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 Chester
Part-time professionals working 24 hours a week might find their annual income around $35,111. In contrast, full-time workers could average significantly more, underscoring the appeal of full-time roles in this field. For those engaged as per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, the pay structure can be much different, with daily compensation ranging from $80 to $150 in per diem allowances on top of hourly rates that typically range between $30 and $55 for travel-based projects. Different employer types in Chester, from residential service companies to commercial HVAC firms, can significantly affect pay rates. While working for larger organizations like Carrier or Trane usually offers the stability of benefits at potentially lower hourly rates, self-employed contractors might earn more on an hourly basis but sacrifice consistent income and health coverage. This trade-off emphasizes the importance of negotiating carefully based on individual circumstances and needs in the Chester HVAC job market.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Chester in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Chester?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Chester paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Chester?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Chester?
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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 Chester. 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 Chester 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