Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Arkansas: $49,202 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $49,202/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $56,619 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($51,772), Springdale ($51,736), Fayetteville ($50,939).
In Arkansas, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $49,201 in 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $60,174, indicating a -18.2% difference. The highest-paying city, Rogers, offers salaries averaging $53,750, while the lowest, Van Buren, pays around $43,944, demonstrating a salary gap of $9,806. This disparity can stem from varying demand for services, cost of living, and local industry growth in different areas. In terms of job outlook, the state is poised for a steady growth rate of 3.82% annually, reflecting a rising demand for qualified professionals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration sector. Arkansas has specific licensing requirements and regulations that can affect employment opportunities, ensuring that installers are well-trained and adhere to safety standards. Cities such as Rogers, Springdale ($53,712), and Fayetteville ($52,885) are projected to see higher salaries due to economic development and increased population growth, while Fort Smith ($47,500) and Little Rock ($47,342) offer more moderate compensation. Understanding these regional differences can help professionals make informed decisions about where to pursue job opportunities within the state.
Arkansas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $28,842 (lowest entry-level) to $83,312 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 18.23% less than the national median ($-10,972/year difference).
Arkansas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Arkansas range from $36,556 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $66,940 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,202. The Arkansas median is $10,972 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $23.66/hr. Approximately 3,571 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$39,553
2025 BLS Actual
$47,391
2026 Current Est.
$49,202
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,383 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,338 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,668 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,901 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,029 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,202 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,081 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.8% from $39,553 (2019) to $47,391 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,528 (29.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $43,944 |
| Bryant | $44,735 |
| Searcy | $45,072 |
| Cabot | $45,549 |
| Russellville | $45,755 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $53,750 | 86.9 | $61,853 |
| Springdale | $53,712 | 86.9 | $61,809 |
| Fayetteville | $52,885 | 91.353 | $57,891 |
| Fort Smith | $47,500 | 85.888 | $55,305 |
| Jonesboro | $46,583 | 85.876 | $54,244 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,556 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,202 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $66,940 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $53,750 |
| 2 | Springdale | $53,712 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $52,885 |
| 4 | Fort Smith | $47,500 |
| 5 | Little Rock | $47,342 |
| 6 | Jacksonville | $47,000 |
| 7 | Bentonville | $46,769 |
| 8 | Texarkana | $46,712 |
| 9 | North Little Rock | $46,643 |
| 10 | Jonesboro | $46,583 |
| 11 | Benton | $46,380 |
| 12 | Conway | $46,336 |
| 13 | Paragould | $46,247 |
| 14 | Pine Bluff | $46,210 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $45,997 |
| 16 | Hot Springs | $45,991 |
| 17 | Russellville | $45,755 |
| 18 | Cabot | $45,549 |
| 19 | Searcy | $45,072 |
| 20 | Bryant | $44,735 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $43,944 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Arkansas 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 Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas 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 Arkansas?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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