Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Wichita Falls, TX: $23.35 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Wichita Falls, TX runs $23.35 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,565 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Wichita Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.5, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.08 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,140 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wichita Falls, the prevailing hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $23.35 in 2026. This figure, while competitive locally, falls short of the national median of $28.93, representing a 19.29% difference. For those who opt to work part-time, say three days a week, this role on service truck routes or in commercial environments, like mechanical rooms and data centers, could yield significant earnings, particularly during peak seasons. The hourly range extends from $16.22 at the entry level to as much as $33.71 for top earners in the field, reflecting the diverse settings these professionals operate in, from residential to specialized refrigeration environments. Such hourly data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, giving prospective technicians a realistic outlook on their earning potential.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.22 | $129.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.54 | $148.34 |
| Median (P50) | $23.35 | $186.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.46 | $227.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.71 | $269.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wichita Falls
Based on $23.35/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.35/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wichita Falls, TX can expect to earn approximately $48,566 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,019. With a cost-of-living index of 89.51 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wichita Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wichita Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $933.96 | $4,047 | $48,566 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $560.38 | $2,428 | $29,140 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $373.59 | $1,619 | $19,426 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Wichita Falls) | $23.35 |
| 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 Wichita Falls, TX earn a median of $48,565 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.29% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.20% below the Texas state average of $49,155.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.35/hr = $29,140/year (purchasing power: $32,554).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,566/year (purchasing power: $54,256).
CoL index: 89.513 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.10/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.49/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.35/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+4.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $20.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.10/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.49/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.35/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.24/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 Wichita Falls grew -2.6% from $23.10/hr (2019) to $22.49/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.24/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 Wichita Falls 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 Wichita Falls
Part-time employees, for instance, can expect to earn significantly less compared to their full-time counterparts. Working 24 hours a week at the $23.35 rate results in an annual income that is notably lower than what full-time technicians secure. For travel or per-diem roles, technicians working on out-of-town commercial projects typically earn $80-$150 daily as a per diem, alongside a base rate ranging from $30-$55 per hour. Entry-level technicians may receive service call minimums between $90-$180, while seasoned self-employed contractors in high-cost-of-living markets might command rates between $90-$160 per hour during the peak heating and cooling seasons. Hourly rates can also fluctuate based on the type of employer, with residential service companies, commercial contractors, and manufacturer support roles offering varied compensation packages. Mechanics may find themselves weighing the benefits of salaried positions within established firms against higher hourly rates without benefits, making negotiations critical in securing an advantageous pay structure in the evolving HVAC market of Wichita Falls.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Wichita Falls, TX
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Wichita Falls, TX
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Wichita Falls, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Wichita Falls in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Wichita Falls?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Wichita Falls paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Wichita Falls?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Wichita Falls?
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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 Wichita Falls. 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