Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Charleston, WV: $24.42 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Charleston, WV runs $24.42 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,804 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Charleston's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.7, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.52 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,474 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charleston, West Virginia, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median hourly rate of $24.42, which is notably lower than the national hourly median of $28.93. This disparity reflects the local labor market's characteristics and can influence job availability, particularly for those seeking part-time work, such as a 3-day work week. Depending on the nature of the job, mechanics may find themselves working on residential service routes, commercial rooftop units, or in data centers, all of which can impact their pay scale. Entry-level technicians earn about $17.68 per hour, while seasoned professionals can make up to $37.97 per hour, representing a wide range in earning potential that can be crucial for those considering a freelance or per-diem approach to employment.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.68 | $141.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.85 | $174.83 |
| Median (P50) | $24.42 | $195.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.31 | $250.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.97 | $303.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Charleston
Based on $24.42/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.42/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Charleston, WV can expect to earn approximately $50,790 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,302. With a cost-of-living index of 88.72 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Charleston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Charleston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $976.74 | $4,233 | $50,790 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $586.04 | $2,540 | $30,474 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $390.70 | $1,693 | $20,316 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Charleston) | $24.42 |
| 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 Charleston, WV earn a median of $50,804 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.57% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.40% above the West Virginia state average of $48,201.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.42/hr = $30,474/year (purchasing power: $34,350).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,790/year (purchasing power: $57,250).
CoL index: 88.717 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.50/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.42/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.7%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Charleston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.50/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.09/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.04/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.42/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $25.35/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 Charleston grew 4.5% from $22.50/hr (2019) to $23.52/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $25.35/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 Charleston 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 Charleston
A 3-day work schedule translating into 24 hours weekly allows an HVAC mechanic in Charleston to take home a significantly different yearly income compared to full-time professionals. With part-time earnings, a worker could see their annual income capped at approximately $28,339, lacking the benefits commonly associated with permanent positions. The per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Charleston often includes an additional daily stipend ranging from $80 to $150 for travel on commercial projects, alongside hourly wages of $30 to $55. For residential service calls, minimum fees can range from $90 to $180. Different employer types can also influence compensation, as residential service companies, large data centers, and specialty refrigeration firms all present varying rates. While some mechanics may prefer lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits, others may seek higher pay without those perks. Negotiating a wage in Charleston requires understanding the local job climate, recognizing opportunities within various sectors, and being prepared to discuss compensation relative to in-demand skills, especially with the rising demand for heat pump installations linked to recent tax incentives.
More salary data for Charleston, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Charleston in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Charleston?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Charleston paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Charleston?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Charleston?
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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 Charleston. 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