Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Oshkosh, WI: $28.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Oshkosh, WI runs $28.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,701 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Oshkosh's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.89 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,825 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oshkosh, Wisconsin, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $28.71, slightly below the national median of $28.93. This hourly pay reflects the dynamics of both part-time and per-diem job structures within the field. For those choosing part-time work, typically three days a week, this translates to approximately $1,376 weekly based on a 40-hour schedule, providing substantial earnings while allowing flexibility for other pursuits. Entry-level positions begin around $22.86, while experienced professionals can secure pay close to $38.82. This official BLS hourly data highlights the variety of settings these workers engage in, such as residential service routes, commercial HVAC installations, and refrigeration systems in supermarkets, making hourly pay a crucial consideration for career planning.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.86 | $182.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.09 | $192.69 |
| Median (P50) | $28.71 | $229.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.15 | $297.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.82 | $310.55 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Oshkosh
Based on $28.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.71/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Oshkosh, WI can expect to earn approximately $59,709 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,447. With a cost-of-living index of 92.93 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Oshkosh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Oshkosh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,148.25 | $4,976 | $59,709 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $688.95 | $2,985 | $35,825 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $459.30 | $1,990 | $23,884 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Oshkosh) | $28.71 |
| 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 Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $59,701 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.79% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% below the Wisconsin state average of $60,487.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.71/hr = $35,825/year (purchasing power: $38,551).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,709/year (purchasing power: $64,252).
CoL index: 92.929 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.09/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+41.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.09/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.98/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.43/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.19/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.80/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 Oshkosh grew 31.1% from $21.09/hr (2019) to $27.65/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.80/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 Oshkosh 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 Oshkosh
Examining the potential for part-time workers reveals a nuanced earning trajectory. A technician working 24 hours a week would bring home around $38,688 annually, a meaningful contrast to full-time counterparts who could earn substantially more. When considering per-diem opportunities, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can earn between $80 and $150 daily on top of their base hourly rate, which could be as high as $55 for out-of-town commercial projects. Professionals in Oshkosh working for residential service companies often find themselves balancing potential commission structures that can push their earnings through the roof, but they may accept lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits such as health insurance. Different employer types—ranging from residential specialists to commercial contractors—can significantly impact hourly pay, with self-employed contractors typically generating higher effective rates during peak seasons. Knowing how to negotiate effectively, emphasizing skills and certifications like EPA Section 608 and NATE, can further enhance earnings in this competitive field.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
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 Oshkosh. 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