Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Alaska: $85,194 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alaska's 5 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $85,194/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Alaska sits at BEA RPP 106.1 (6% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $80,296 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fairbanks ($89,129), Anchorage ($81,339), Juneau ($57,754).
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Alaska are projected to earn an average median salary of $85,195, which is significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, resulting in a differential of +41.6%. Fairbanks leads as the highest-paying city with a salary of $92,534, while Sitka represents the lowest at $56,035, highlighting a salary gap of $36,499. The difference in wages can be attributed to regional demand for skilled labor, local cost of living, and the varying need for HVAC services in different communities. Alaska has specific state licensing requirements that candidates must fulfill, and understanding the scope of practice laws is critical to professional success. Additionally, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, the job market for this profession is expected to expand. The total number of employed mechanics and installers sits at 435, with key cities such as Anchorage and Juneau offering salaries of $84,446 and $59,960, respectively. Factors driving demand include the unique climate challenges in Alaska, requiring efficient heating and cooling solutions year-round, which sustains job opportunities in this field.
Alaska Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alaska: $38,169 (lowest entry-level) to $104,349 (highest top earner)
Alaska vs National Average
Alaska heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 41.58% more than the national median (+$25,020/year difference).
Alaska Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Alaska range from $55,888 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $103,173 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $85,194. The Alaska median is $25,020 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $40.95/hr. Approximately 435 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 5 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$68,322
2025 BLS Actual
$82,060
2026 Current Est.
$85,194
2019–2027 Growth
+29.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Alaska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,322 | Actual |
| 2020 | $76,250 | Actual |
| 2021 | $63,209 | Actual |
| 2022 | $73,984 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,816 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $85,194 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $88,449 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alaska metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 20.1% from $68,322 (2019) to $82,060 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $88,449 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,127 (29.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alaska 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alaska
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Alaska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alaska cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks | $92,534 | 103.208 | $89,658 |
| Anchorage | $84,446 | 105.42 | $80,104 |
| Juneau | $59,960 | 106.1 | $56,513 |
| Wasilla | $56,072 | 106.1 | $52,848 |
| Sitka | $56,035 | 106.1 | $52,813 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alaska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $55,888 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $85,194 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $103,173 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alaska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 5 Cities in Alaska
More Alaska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Alaska cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Alaska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Alaska?
How does Alaska heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Alaska?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Alaska?
Which Alaska city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Alaska. State averages are employment-weighted across 5 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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