Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Amarillo, TX: $23.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Amarillo, TX runs $23.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $49,157 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Amarillo's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $25.73 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,490 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Amarillo, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $23.63 in 2026, a figure that falls significantly below the national median of $28.93 per hour. This hourly rate can shape the financial landscape for both part-time technicians working 24 hours weekly and those engaged in per-diem roles. Part-time workers, for instance, could anticipate an annual income around $29,000 if they maintain this schedule, while per-diem technicians operating in various settings—from residential service routes to commercial and industrial installations—can earn additional daily stipends that significantly enhance their overall earnings. Amarillo's hourly pay spans a range from $17.74 at entry-level positions up to $36.52 for top earners, reflecting both experience and the specificity of service areas.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.74 | $141.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.22 | $169.77 |
| Median (P50) | $23.63 | $189.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.93 | $231.48 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.52 | $292.19 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Amarillo
Based on $23.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.63/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Amarillo, TX can expect to earn approximately $49,149 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,355. With a cost-of-living index of 91.82 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Amarillo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Amarillo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $945.18 | $4,096 | $49,149 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $567.11 | $2,457 | $29,490 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $378.07 | $1,638 | $19,660 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Amarillo) | $23.63 |
| 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 Amarillo, TX earn a median of $49,157 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.31% lower than the national median of $60,174.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.63/hr = $29,490/year (purchasing power: $32,117).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $49,149/year (purchasing power: $53,528).
CoL index: 91.82 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Amarillo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.19/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.53/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 Amarillo grew 33.3% from $17.07/hr (2019) to $22.76/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.53/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 Amarillo 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 Amarillo
Focusing on the earning potential, part-time mechanics making $23.63 an hour over a typical 24-hour workweek would net approximately $29,000 annually, a stark contrast to the higher income achievable by full-time workers. For those in per-diem roles, a travel HVAC technician engaged in out-of-town projects can earn between $80 and $150 daily on top of a base hourly rate of $30 to $55. Additionally, residential service calls often come with minimums ranging from $90 to $180, allowing self-employed contractors to capture rates upwards of $90 to $160 during peak seasons. The variability of hourly wages across different employer types in Amarillo, such as residential service companies, commercial contractors, and specialized refrigeration businesses, further illustrates the landscape of this profession. Those who prioritize benefits might accept lower rates for stable positions, while others may trade benefits for the higher wages common in seasonal, high-demand areas. Negotiation is essential; understanding local market trends and having clarity in expected job duties can empower technicians to advocate for their worth.
More salary data for Amarillo, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Amarillo. 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