Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Bellingham, WA: $34.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Bellingham, WA runs $34.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $71,201 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Bellingham's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.3, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $33.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $42,718 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bellingham, WA, enjoy a competitive hourly pay rate, with a median of $34.23. This figure notably exceeds the nationwide median of $28.93 per hour, indicating a strong demand for skilled technicians in the region. For part-time workers, typically employed three days a week, this translates to an earning potential of approximately $26,366 annually if working 24 hours per week. Per-diem workers, often engaged in varying settings such as residential service routes or commercial downtime projects, can earn additional per diem allowances that amplify their take-home pay significantly. In Bellingham, entry-level positions start at around $22.79 per hour, while top earners in the field can command as much as $47.06, reflecting a diverse range of opportunities based on experience and specialization, according to 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.79 | $182.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.09 | $240.70 |
| Median (P50) | $34.23 | $273.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.06 | $296.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.06 | $376.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bellingham
Based on $34.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $34.23/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bellingham, WA can expect to earn approximately $71,197 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $41,075. With a cost-of-living index of 103.33 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bellingham.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bellingham
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,369.18 | $5,933 | $71,197 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $821.51 | $3,560 | $42,718 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $547.67 | $2,373 | $28,479 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Bellingham) | $34.23 |
| 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 Bellingham, WA earn a median of $71,201 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.33% higher 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 $34.23/hr = $42,718/year (purchasing power: $41,340).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $71,197/year (purchasing power: $68,900).
CoL index: 103.334 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.14/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$34.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bellingham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $35.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.15/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $34.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $35.54/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 Bellingham grew 17.2% from $28.14/hr (2019) to $32.97/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $35.54/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 Bellingham 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 Bellingham
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When considering part-time opportunities, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week can expect a stark contrast in earnings compared to their full-time counterparts. In Bellingham, per-diem professionals frequently earn between $30-$55 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem rates of $80-$150 for out-of-town assignments. This combination can significantly boost their overall compensation. Meanwhile, self-employed contractors in high-cost-of-living markets have reported effective earnings ranging from $90-$160 per hour during peak seasons, showcasing an attractive path for skilled workers willing to enter the entrepreneurial realm. Wage variations also arise when comparing employment types, as residential service companies often rely on commission structures, where top performers can see annual pay soar as high as $130,000 in active markets. Workers are faced with decisions trading off hourly pay against benefits like health insurance, which can impact overall job satisfaction and financial stability. For those negotiating their hourly rates in Bellingham, emphasizing the increasing demand for HVAC skills can strengthen their bargaining position, especially given the ongoing shift toward advanced technologies and training in the industry.
More salary data for Bellingham, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bellingham in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Bellingham?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bellingham paid hourly or salary?
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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 Bellingham. 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