Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in San Juan, PR: $15.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in San Juan, PR runs $15.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $31,936 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Puerto Rico's regional price level (BEA RPP 75.0, 25% below national), each hour of work buys what $20.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $19,163 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in San Juan, Puerto Rico, can expect a median hourly rate of $15.35, which is significantly lower than the national median of $28.93. This disparity highlights the economic realities faced by professionals in the field within PR, especially when considering part-time schedules. For example, a worker operating three days a week typically dedicates around 24 hours, resulting in earnings that may not suffice for the region's cost of living. The official BLS data indicates an hourly range from $11.43 for entry-level positions to $22.71 for the top earners, reflecting the broad spectrum of experience and responsibility found in roles across residential service routes, commercial installations, and other industry niches in settings like data centers and supermarkets.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $11.43 | $91.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $13.85 | $110.80 |
| Median (P50) | $15.35 | $122.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $17.76 | $142.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $22.71 | $181.64 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Juan
Based on $15.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $15.35/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Juan, PR can expect to earn approximately $31,938 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $18,426.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Juan
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $614.20 | $2,662 | $31,938 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $368.52 | $1,597 | $19,163 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $245.68 | $1,065 | $12,775 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (San Juan) | $15.35 |
| 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 San Juan, PR earn a median of $31,936 per year (2026 est.), which is 46.93% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 25.50% below the Puerto Rico state average of $42,867.
2019 BLS Actual
$12.00/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$14.79/hr
2026 Current Est.
$15.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+32.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in San Juan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $12.00/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $12.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $11.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $11.79/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $13.64/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $14.26/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $14.79/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $15.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $15.94/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 San Juan grew 23.2% from $12.00/hr (2019) to $14.79/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $15.94/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 San Juan 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 San Juan
Analyzing the income potential further, part-time mechanics earning $15.35 per hour would take home roughly $18,960 annually, clearly falling short compared to a full-time worker's earnings. When assessing per diem opportunities, such as travel for commercial projects, technicians can earn between $80 to $150 per day, in addition to a base hourly wage of $30 to $55, making this a lucrative option for those willing to travel. In San Juan, the nature of employment significantly influences income; residential service companies might offer lesser hourly rates but provide benefits, while commercial HVAC contractors may pay more per hour without benefits, creating a trade-off that workers must consider. Self-employed contractors also have the potential to earn considerably more, especially during peak seasons. Therefore, understanding the regional context and negotiating effectively can impact long-term career earnings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in San Juan.
More salary data for San Juan, PR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in San Juan in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in San Juan?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in San Juan paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in San Juan?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in San Juan?
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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 San Juan. 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