Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Wenatchee, WA: $29.23 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Wenatchee, WA runs $29.23 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,786 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Wenatchee's regional price level (BEA RPP 103.9, 4% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.14 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,473 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wenatchee, Washington, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to be $29.23 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $28.93 per hour. This hourly wage offers attractive earning potential for both part-time workers, such as those working three days a week, and per-diem technicians. Typical settings for these professionals include residential service routes, commercial rooftops, data centers, and supermarkets. For entry-level technicians, starting pay is approximately $17.94, while those at the top of their game can earn up to $37.97. The official BLS hourly data reflects a thriving job market in Wenatchee, allowing for diverse career opportunities in various environments from self-employed contractors to established companies.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.94 | $143.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.10 | $176.83 |
| Median (P50) | $29.23 | $233.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.34 | $282.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.97 | $303.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wenatchee
Based on $29.23/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.23/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wenatchee, WA can expect to earn approximately $60,789 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,070. With a cost-of-living index of 103.86 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Wenatchee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wenatchee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,169.01 | $5,066 | $60,789 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $701.41 | $3,039 | $36,473 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $467.61 | $2,026 | $24,315 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Wenatchee) | $29.23 |
| 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 Wenatchee, WA earn a median of $60,786 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.02% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 14.60% below the Washington state average of $71,177.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.23/hr = $36,473/year (purchasing power: $35,119).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,789/year (purchasing power: $58,532).
CoL index: 103.855 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.15/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.23/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Wenatchee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.56/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.23/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.34/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 Wenatchee grew 15.6% from $24.35/hr (2019) to $28.15/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.34/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 Wenatchee 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 Wenatchee
Part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working 24 hours a week can expect to bring home around $35,000 annually, a significant difference compared to full-time earnings. For those engaged in per-diem work, wages can range from $30 to $55 per hour, with travel work further supplemented by daily per-diem allowances of $80 to $150. Residential service calls often carry minimum charges of $90 to $180, while self-employed professionals in high-cost markets may clear anywhere from $90 to $160 per hour during peak demand periods. The hourly pay varies widely based on employer type in Wenatchee, with major residential companies, commercial contractors, and data center teams offering distinct salary structures. While some technicians might accept lower hourly wages for benefits such as health insurance, others may prioritize higher rates without benefits. Effective negotiation strategies include showcasing experience and highlighting certifications like EPA Section 608 and NATE, which can lead to improved compensation packages tailored to specific employer needs.
More salary data for Wenatchee, WA:
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 Wenatchee. 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