Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Clarksville, TN: $23.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Clarksville, TN runs $23.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,788 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Clarksville's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.9, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.32 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,878 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Clarksville, TN, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median hourly rate of $23.94, which is notably lower than the national median of $28.93. This wage reflects the local job market conditions, where skilled technicians can expect varying pay based on their experience and the type of work. Part-time workers, such as those on a three-day work week, have opportunities with residential service vehicles and commercial buildings, leading to earnings that can fluctuate significantly. The hourly pay ranges from $18.26 for entry-level positions to $34.03 for those at the top of their game. Nationwide, the positions in HVAC offer a broad pay spectrum as well, indicating that while local rates may be lower, there are still solid career prospects for adept technicians.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.26 | $146.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.00 | $176.00 |
| Median (P50) | $23.94 | $191.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.91 | $231.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.03 | $272.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Clarksville
Based on $23.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.94/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Clarksville, TN can expect to earn approximately $49,797 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,729. With a cost-of-living index of 90.95 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Clarksville.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Clarksville
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $957.64 | $4,150 | $49,797 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $574.58 | $2,490 | $29,878 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $383.05 | $1,660 | $19,919 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Clarksville) | $23.94 |
| 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 Clarksville, TN earn a median of $49,788 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.26% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.90% below the Tennessee state average of $50,240.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.94/hr = $29,878/year (purchasing power: $32,852).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,797/year (purchasing power: $54,754).
CoL index: 90.947 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.27/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.06/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+29.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Clarksville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.27/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.02/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.88/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $18.98/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $20.09/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.06/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.86/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 Clarksville grew 19.7% from $19.27/hr (2019) to $23.06/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.86/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 Clarksville 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 Clarksville
When examining the earning potential for part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, it becomes clear that working three days a week can yield a respectable annual income while allowing for flexibility. Assuming a 24-hour work week, these mechanics could net around $29,300 annually based on their hourly rate. For those willing to take advantage of per-diem opportunities, traveling technicians can secure additional income ranging from $80 to $150 per day, depending on their contracts, while boosting their base pay, which typically falls between $30 and $55 per hour. Additionally, self-employed contractors often achieve effective rates of $90 to $160 per hour, especially in high-cost areas. HVAC rates can vary significantly across employers in Clarksville, with commercial contractors and specialty refrigeration companies frequently offering higher pay at the expense of benefits. For those negotiating offers, understanding the dynamics between hourly pay and benefits can lead to better opportunities, whether one prefers steady residential work or the variability of contract jobs.
More salary data for Clarksville, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Clarksville in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Clarksville?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Clarksville paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Clarksville?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Clarksville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 Clarksville. 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