Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mesa, AZ: $60,040 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Mesa, AZ earns a median $60,040/year (≈ $28.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Mesa's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $60,954 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Mesa, Arizona, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach a median of $60,040 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $60,174. Local measures indicate a salary range spanning from $39,590 at the lower end to $93,062 for those at the upper echelons of the profession, showcasing the potential for significant earnings based on experience and expertise. Compensation in this field is frequently influenced by residential sales commissions and spiffs, which can substantially augment pay, especially for technicians working at high-volume service companies. Such factors, along with local economic conditions, help illustrate the nuances of the job market for HVAC professionals in Mesa.
About the Mesa Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,590 | $19.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,583 | $22.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,040 | $28.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,358 | $36.71 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,062 | $44.75 |
Median Salary Position
0.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mesa
In Mesa, AZ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,472 (2026 est.). At $60,040, the local median is 0.22% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mesa Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Mesa median: $60,040/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $56,482 | +6.30% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -0.22% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Mesa, AZ earn a median of $60,040 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.22% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.30% above the Arizona state average of $56,482.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mesa has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mesa, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $60,040 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,954 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,191
2025 BLS Actual
$57,831
2026 Current Est.
$60,040
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,191 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,096 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,712 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,314 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,284 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,831 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,040 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,334 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mesa metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $46,191 (2019) to $57,831 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,334 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,143 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mesa 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,590 – $47,583 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,583 – $60,040 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,040 – $76,358 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,358 – $93,062 |
HACR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Job Market in Mesa
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mesa currently employs around 98 individuals, reflecting stable demand within the area. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 98.5, suggests that while salaries in Mesa are competitive, they align closely with local living costs, providing reasonable purchasing power. Employers paying top salaries among several sectors include large residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and self-employed specialists, with demand particularly high due to the heat pump installation boom driven by recent tax incentives. The variation in wages can be attributed to several factors like specialization, commission structures, and required certifications such as EPA Section 608 and NATE. For those looking to maximize their income, engaging in specialty training and obtaining additional credentials can offer a distinct advantage in this evolving market.
More salary data for Mesa, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Mesa, AZ in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Mesa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Mesa?
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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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $57,831 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Mesa metropolitan area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Mesa 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