Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Madison, WI: $29.94 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Madison, WI runs $29.94 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,285 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Madison's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.3, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.78 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,367 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Madison, Wisconsin, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers averages $29.94, which is slightly above the national median of $28.93. This competitive pay can provide significant earnings even for part-time workers or those on a per-diem basis, particularly in common settings like residential service routes or commercial installations. With an hourly pay range from $21.55 for entry-level positions to as high as $47.84 for more experienced technicians, opportunities abound for both novice and seasoned professionals. The flexibility of part-time work, such as three days a week, allows those in this profession to adjust their schedules, making it feasible to maintain a work-life balance while still earning a solid income.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.55 | $172.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.09 | $200.75 |
| Median (P50) | $29.94 | $239.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.36 | $306.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.84 | $382.72 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Madison
Based on $29.94/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.94/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Madison, WI can expect to earn approximately $62,279 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,930. With a cost-of-living index of 97.29 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Madison.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Madison
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,197.67 | $5,190 | $62,279 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $718.60 | $3,114 | $37,367 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $479.07 | $2,076 | $24,911 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Madison) | $29.94 |
| 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 Madison, WI earn a median of $62,285 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.51% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.00% above the Wisconsin state average of $60,471.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.94/hr = $37,367/year (purchasing power: $38,409).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,279/year (purchasing power: $64,015).
CoL index: 97.287 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.84/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.94/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+22.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Madison (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.97/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.72/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.84/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.94/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.09/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 Madison grew 13.8% from $25.35/hr (2019) to $28.84/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.09/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 Madison 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 Madison
When considering part-time work, those committing to 24 hours a week could potentially earn around $37,500 annually, which can be quite appealing for individuals balancing other responsibilities. For per-diem positions, particularly in out-of-town commercial projects, technicians might earn between $80 and $150 daily in addition to base hourly wages ranging from $30 to $55. Self-employed contractors can clear rates of $90 to $160 hourly during peak seasons, but typically must forgo benefits found in other employment types. Hourly rates can significantly differ among various employers in Madison, with residential service companies, commercial contractors, and industrial positions each offering unique pay structures. While some technicians choose lower hourly rates for the stability of health insurance benefits, others aim for higher pay and more flexible hours. Negotiating effectively requires an understanding of the market, particularly for those seeking positions that align with their financial goals in the competitive WI HVAC landscape.
More salary data for Madison, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Madison?
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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 Madison. 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