Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Fond du Lac, WI: $28.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Fond du Lac, WI runs $28.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,695 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Fond du Lac's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.6, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.79 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,216 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Fond du Lac, Wisconsin, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay averages $28.22, slightly below the national median of $28.93. This rate offers a solid foundation for those working in varied settings such as residential service truck routes or commercial data center HVAC systems. For part-time workers clocking in three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,755 per month, allowing them to effectively manage living expenses in the area, where the cost of living index is below the national average. The pay scale ranges from $18.91 for entry-level positions to $39.09 for experienced professionals, reflecting the diversity in experience levels and job complexity within Fond du Lac's HVAC market. These figures are derived from Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections, providing a valuable benchmark for local workers.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.91 | $151.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.95 | $191.61 |
| Median (P50) | $28.22 | $225.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.94 | $247.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.09 | $312.71 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fond du Lac
Based on $28.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.22/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fond du Lac, WI can expect to earn approximately $58,694 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,862. With a cost-of-living index of 91.64 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fond du Lac.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fond du Lac
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,128.73 | $4,891 | $58,694 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $677.24 | $2,935 | $35,216 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $451.49 | $1,956 | $23,478 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Fond du Lac) | $28.22 |
| 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 Fond du Lac, WI earn a median of $58,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.46% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $60,510.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.22/hr = $35,216/year (purchasing power: $38,428).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,694/year (purchasing power: $64,046).
CoL index: 91.643 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.85/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.18/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Fond du Lac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.85/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.10/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.22/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.18/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.30/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 Fond du Lac grew 1.2% from $26.85/hr (2019) to $27.18/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.30/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 Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac
When considering the annual earnings for part-time workers, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer on a 24-hour weekly schedule could expect to take home about $21,060 a year, which is significantly less than their full-time counterparts. Per-diem arrangements for technicians traveling out of town present a different financial landscape, with earnings bolstered by extra daily allowances of $80-$150 in addition to hourly pay rates fluctuating between $30 and $55. Those engaged in residential service calls may benefit from minimum charges ranging from $90 to $180, while self-employed contractors can often achieve rates between $90 and $160 on peak service days. Various employers—ranging from residential service companies to commercial HVAC contractors—offer different pay structures and benefits, creating a dynamic job market. Negotiating strategies may focus on the value of benefits versus hourly pay, with many choosing lower hourly rates for health insurance coverage, which can be critical in a labor-intensive field. Understanding the unique demands of Fond du Lac's HVAC sector can empower workers to make informed career decisions.
More salary data for Fond du Lac, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Fond du Lac in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Fond du Lac?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Fond du Lac 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 Fond du Lac. 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