Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Conway, SC: $25.24 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Conway, SC runs $25.24 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $52,501 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Conway's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $31,498 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Conway, South Carolina, are projected to earn a median hourly rate of $25.24 in 2026, which sits below the national median of $28.93. For part-time workers, such as those clocking in three days a week, this means a take-home of approximately $974 weekly, amounting to around $50,688 annually, assuming a 24-hour work week. The range of hourly pay can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $18.00 and experienced top earners reaching $36.72. This variability is reflective of the different job environments, including residential service truck routes, commercial units, data centers, and various installations where technicians are frequently deployed.
About the Conway Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) 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) | $18.00 | $144.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $20.71 | $165.70 |
| Median (P50) | $25.24 | $201.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.91 | $247.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.72 | $293.77 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Conway
Based on $25.24/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $25.24/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Conway, SC can expect to earn approximately $52,496 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $30,286. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Conway.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Conway
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,009.55 | $4,375 | $52,496 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $605.73 | $2,625 | $31,498 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $403.82 | $1,750 | $20,999 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Conway) | $25.24 |
| 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 Conway, SC earn a median of $52,501 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.75% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 8.30% below the South Carolina state average of $57,253.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $25.24/hr = $31,498/year (purchasing power: $34,424).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $52,496/year (purchasing power: $57,373).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.42/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$24.31/hr
2026 Current Est.
$25.24/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Conway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.42/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $19.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $20.48/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $25.24/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $26.20/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 Conway grew 25.2% from $19.42/hr (2019) to $24.31/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $26.20/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 Conway 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 Conway
For those considering part-time opportunities, it may be more appealing to look into per-diem roles, especially in commercial and industrial settings where HVAC systems are critical. Depending on the project, per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Conway can vary widely, with techs potentially earning an additional $80-$150 per day aside from their hourly wage when traveling for out-of-town projects. Compensation can change depending on the employer type—residential service companies typically have a commission structure that could influence overall earnings, while commercial contractors may provide more consistent pay but with fewer incentives. Mechanics moving into self-employment might see higher earnings during peak seasons, especially in highly competitive markets. However, many professionals choose employers that offer consistent benefits over slightly higher pay, valuing job security and health insurance. In the competitive HVAC market in Conway, being aware of negotiating tactics, especially regarding benefits versus hourly rates, can prove beneficial as the industry evolves and adapts to new technologies and regulations, including the growing trend of heat pumps under the IRA tax credit provisions.
More salary data for Conway, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Conway in 2026?
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How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Conway?
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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 Conway. 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 Conway 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