Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Huntington, WV: $23.17 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Huntington, WV runs $23.17 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,190 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Huntington's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.4, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $26.21 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $28,919 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Huntington, West Virginia, the projected hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $23.17. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $28.93 per hour, reflecting the local market's economic conditions and cost of living. For part-time technicians working an average of three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, this rate yields a take-home pay of approximately $28,000 annually, which can vary significantly depending on the specific working environments. The hourly wage ranges from $16.96 for entry-level positions to $34.81 for the most experienced within the industry. Different settings, such as residential service routes, commercial rooftop units, and specialized refrigeration cases in supermarkets, each provide unique opportunities for commission-based earnings that can enhance overall pay in this profession.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.96 | $135.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.41 | $155.31 |
| Median (P50) | $23.17 | $185.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $28.90 | $231.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $34.81 | $278.49 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Huntington
Based on $23.17/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.17/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Huntington, WV can expect to earn approximately $48,199 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $27,807. With a cost-of-living index of 88.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Huntington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Huntington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $926.90 | $4,017 | $48,199 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $556.14 | $2,410 | $28,919 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $370.76 | $1,607 | $19,280 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Huntington) | $23.17 |
| 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 Huntington, WV earn a median of $48,190 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.92% lower 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 $23.17/hr = $28,919/year (purchasing power: $32,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,199/year (purchasing power: $54,510).
CoL index: 88.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$20.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.32/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.17/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Huntington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $20.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.03/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.57/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.55/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.32/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.17/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.06/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 Huntington grew 7.3% from $20.81/hr (2019) to $22.32/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.06/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 Huntington 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 Huntington
While the hourly earnings in Huntington are competitive for the area, many in the profession consider factors beyond pay. Part-time mechanics, working a consistent schedule, can make around $28,000 yearly compared to full-time counterparts. Per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics often earn an additional $80-$150 a day on top of a base hourly rate of $30-$55 when deployed on out-of-town projects. In contrast, residential service calls typically require a minimum charge of $90-$180. Self-employed HVAC technicians in higher-cost areas can command rates between $90-$160, especially during peak seasons. Employer types significantly influence hourly wages as well; commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations often provide different compensation structures than residential service companies. Many technicians must weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against the value of health insurance coverage and retirement benefits offered by larger employers, as these factors can drastically affect overall job satisfaction and financial security in the long run.
More salary data for Huntington, WV:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Huntington in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Huntington?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Huntington paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Huntington?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Huntington?
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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 Huntington. 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