Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in West Allis, WI: $29.11 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in West Allis, WI runs $29.11 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,548 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against West Allis's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.17 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,331 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In West Allis, Wisconsin, the projected hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $29.11, slightly exceeding the national median of $28.93. This hourly rate offers substantial income opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers in the field. For professionals working part-time, such as those clocking in three days a week, this translates to an estimated income of around $25,000 annually, making it a viable option for those seeking flexible schedules. Additionally, hourly pay varies considerably in this sector, with entry-level positions earning approximately $18.56 per hour while more experienced techs can command up to $45.00 per hour, especially in specialized roles such as servicing commercial rooftop units or precision cooling systems in data centers. The figures provided for West Allis illustrate the potential for growth and stability in this profession.
About the West Allis Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.56 | $148.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.45 | $179.57 |
| Median (P50) | $29.11 | $232.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.64 | $293.10 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.00 | $359.96 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in West Allis
Based on $29.11/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.11/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in West Allis, WI can expect to earn approximately $60,551 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,933. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in West Allis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in West Allis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.45 | $5,046 | $60,551 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.67 | $3,028 | $36,331 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.78 | $2,018 | $24,220 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (West Allis) | $29.11 |
| 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 West Allis, WI earn a median of $60,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.62% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.10% above 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 $29.11/hr = $36,331/year (purchasing power: $38,898).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,551/year (purchasing power: $64,830).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.40/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.04/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.11/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in West Allis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.40/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.33/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.04/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.11/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.22/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 West Allis grew 25.2% from $22.40/hr (2019) to $28.04/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.22/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 West Allis 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 West Allis
When looking at the earning potential for part-time workers, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working a 24-hour week may take home a significantly different amount than their full-time counterparts. Those in per-diem arrangements, especially travel HVAC techs, can earn from $80 to $150 each day, often supplemented by base pay rates ranging from $30 to $55. Seasonal demand can push self-employed contractors to effective hourly rates between $90 and $160 during peak work periods. Moreover, employers in West Allis, including residential service companies and large HVAC contractors, can provide different compensation structures. Some workers may choose stability and benefits over higher pay rates that lack health insurance, often weighing factors like commission-based pay in residential roles, which could substantially jump annual earnings to an average of $80,000 to $130,000. Therefore, understanding local employment trends and negotiating effectively becomes vital for securing beneficial terms in a competitive job market.
More salary data for West Allis, 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 West Allis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for West Allis is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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