Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Mount Vernon, WA: $36.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Mount Vernon, WA runs $36.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,955 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Mount Vernon's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.4, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $35.64 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,569 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Mount Vernon, Washington, the median hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $36.51 in 2026, notably surpassing the national hourly median of $28.93. This higher hourly rate enhances the earning potential for both part-time workers, who may take on shifts three days a week, and per-diem contractors operating in diverse settings, such as residential service routes, commercial building rooftop units, and specialized environments like data center cooling rooms. Entry-level positions in this field can expect an hourly starting rate around $23.18, while top earners may reach as high as $52.39, highlighting a significant range that allows for advancement as technicians gain experience and certifications, such as those from the EPA or NATE.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.18 | $185.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.76 | $230.07 |
| Median (P50) | $36.51 | $292.11 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.51 | $316.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.39 | $419.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Mount Vernon
Based on $36.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.51/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Mount Vernon, WA can expect to earn approximately $75,948 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,816. With a cost-of-living index of 102.44 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Mount Vernon.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Mount Vernon
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,460.54 | $6,329 | $75,948 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $876.32 | $3,797 | $45,569 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $584.22 | $2,532 | $30,379 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Mount Vernon) | $36.51 |
| 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 Mount Vernon, WA earn a median of $75,955 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.23% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.70% above the Washington state average of $71,185.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.51/hr = $45,569/year (purchasing power: $44,482).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,948/year (purchasing power: $74,137).
CoL index: 102.443 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mount Vernon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.28/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.76/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.34/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.91/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 Mount Vernon grew 24.4% from $28.28/hr (2019) to $35.17/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.91/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 Mount Vernon 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 Mount Vernon
When assessing part-time earning potential, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working 24 hours a week could expect to take home about $45,500 annually versus the higher earning potential of full-time employees. The per-diem reality also offers compelling financial incentives, as travel technicians can earn an added daily rate of $80-$150, in addition to base pay rates between $30 and $55 per hour for out-of-town projects. Local businesses, ranging from residential service firms to large commercial HVAC contractors, impact hourly wages significantly. While some self-employed contractors in Mount Vernon clear between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons, full-time employees might trade off higher hourly rates for benefits like health insurance. Negotiating effectively involves understanding the trade-offs between direct hourly pay and overall compensation packages, reflecting the diverse employment opportunities available in the region as demand continues to rise, particularly with initiatives like heat pump installation due to the IRA tax credits.
More salary data for Mount Vernon, WA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mount Vernon, WA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mount Vernon, WA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mount Vernon, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mount Vernon in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Mount Vernon?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mount Vernon paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Mount Vernon?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Mount Vernon?
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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 Mount Vernon. 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