Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Waco, TX: $26.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Waco, TX runs $26.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $55,094 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Waco's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,053 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Waco, Texas, earn a median hourly rate of $26.48, which is noticeably lower than the national median of $28.93. This difference in pay highlights a unique local market condition, impacting those who may work part-time, such as 24 hours a week over three days. This schedule allows part-time workers to maintain a flexible lifestyle, but their earnings may be constrained compared to full-time counterparts. Within Waco’s hourly range, entry-level technicians can expect to start at about $18.23, while top earners may see rates of up to $35.09. Such earnings are particularly relevant for those working on residential service routes, commercial HVAC installations, and in various specialized environments like data centers or supermarket refrigeration. This hourly data, drawn from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics, effectively signals the compensation structure within this trade in 2026.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.23 | $145.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.05 | $168.44 |
| Median (P50) | $26.48 | $211.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.92 | $231.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.09 | $280.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waco
Based on $26.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $26.48/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waco, TX can expect to earn approximately $55,088 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $31,781. With a cost-of-living index of 92.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waco.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waco
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,059.38 | $4,591 | $55,088 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $635.63 | $2,754 | $33,053 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $423.75 | $1,836 | $22,035 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Waco) | $26.48 |
| 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 Waco, TX earn a median of $55,094 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.44% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 12.10% above the Texas state average of $49,147.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $26.48/hr = $33,053/year (purchasing power: $35,713).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $55,088/year (purchasing power: $59,522).
CoL index: 92.55 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$17.89/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$25.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$26.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Waco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $17.89/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $19.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.42/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.94/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.56/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $25.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $26.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.50/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 Waco grew 42.6% from $17.89/hr (2019) to $25.51/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.50/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 Waco 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 Waco
For a part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working three days a week, annual earnings can diverge significantly from full-time wages. Assuming a 24-hour work week, their gross income would amount to around $33,058 annually, which is considerably lower than a full-time worker's potential, exacerbated by the trade-off of fewer benefits. On the other hand, per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics often earn substantial daily rates when traveling for out-of-town projects, with pay ranging from $80 to $150 per day in addition to hourly rates that can be between $30 and $55. In Waco, various employer types influence pay rates considerably; residential service companies may offer lower hourly wages, often compensated by benefit packages, whereas commercial contractors or self-employed workers might achieve higher pay at the cost of stability and benefits. For those negotiating hourly pay in Waco, it’s crucial to weigh the value of benefits against higher pay rates and know the averages for different types of employers to make the best decision for their career path in this evolving field.
More salary data for Waco, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Waco in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Waco?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Waco paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Waco?
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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 Waco. 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