Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jonesboro, AR: $46,583 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Jonesboro, AR earns a median $46,583/year (≈ $22.39/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Jonesboro's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $54,244 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Jonesboro, Arkansas, the forecast for 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $46,583 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. This figure reflects a significant departure from the national median, which stands at $60,174, representing a -22.59% variance. The expected salary range in Jonesboro varies from $37,489 for the lowest ten percent to $62,561 for the top ten percent, as derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. This disparity in pay highlights how the local market is being influenced by various factors, including the growth spurred by the IRA tax credits for heat pump installations. Employers are ramping up their hiring efforts to meet the demand for energy-efficient systems, reshaping the job market in Jonesboro for HVAC professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,489 | $18.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,841 | $21.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,583 | $22.39 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $55,519 | $26.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,561 | $30.09 |
Median Salary Position
22.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro
In Jonesboro, AR, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $25,072 (2026 est.). At $46,583, the local median is 22.59% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jonesboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jonesboro Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Jonesboro median: $46,583/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jonesboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $47,340 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -22.59% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Jonesboro, AR earn a median of $46,583 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.59% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.60% below the Arkansas state average of $47,340.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jonesboro has a cost of living 14.12% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jonesboro, AR has a cost-of-living index of 85.876 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $46,583 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,244 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,070
2025 BLS Actual
$44,869
2026 Current Est.
$46,583
2019–2027 Growth
+12.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Jonesboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,380 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,330 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,583 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,362 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 4.2% from $43,070 (2019) to $44,869 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,362 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,292 (12.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro 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) | $37,489 – $43,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,841 – $46,583 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,583 – $55,519 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $55,519 – $62,561 |
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 Jonesboro
With 170 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in the area, Jonesboro's job market demonstrates stability despite competitive national rates. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 85.876, indicates that workers in this field can enjoy a reasonable standard of living, even if the salaries are lower than the national averages. Among local employers, residential service companies, such as Carrier dealers and franchises like One Hour Heating & Air, typically offer competitive pay structures that can include commissions. In contrast, commercial HVAC contractors—serving industrial buildings, schools, and data centers—may provide more consistent salaried positions. The spread between lower and higher pay levels is influenced by factors such as specialty skills in commercial cooling setups or relevant certifications like NATE and state contractor licensing. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Jonesboro, focusing on high-demand skills like precision cooling for data centers or enhancing qualifications through brand-specific certifications could be impactful strategies in a market on the rise.
More salary data for Jonesboro, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Jonesboro, AR in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jonesboro?
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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 $44,869 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Jonesboro 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
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