HVAC Tech Salary

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.

$46,583
Median Annual Salary
$22.39/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$37,489
Entry Level (P10)
$62,561
Top Earners (P90)

Official BLS data · View source

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jonesboro, AR — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Jonesboro, AR heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileAnnualHourly
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

$37,489$62,561
City Median: $46,583
National: $60,174
P10–P90 Range

22.59% below the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jonesboro

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers in Jonesboro. The median salary is $46,583, compared to the national median of $60,174.$33.7K$41.7K$49.7K$57.7K$65.7K$37.5K10th Pctl$43.8K25th Pctl$46.6KMedian$55.5K75th Pctl$62.6K90th PctlUS Median$60.2K

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.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in the Jonesboro metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$896
per week
$3,882
per month
$46,579
per year

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 ToMedian SalaryJonesboro Pays
Arkansas Average$47,340-1.60% less
National Average$60,174-22.59% less
Horizontal bar chart comparing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer median salary in Jonesboro ($46,583) with Arkansas average ($47,340) and the US national median ($60,174).Jonesboro$46,583Arkansas Avg$47,340-1.60%US National$60,174-22.59%

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

$46,583
Nominal Salary
85.876
CoL Index
$54,244
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.

The nominal salary is $46,583. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 85.876, the purchasing-power equivalent is $54,244, a gain of $7,661.$39.6K$47.0K$54.4K$61.8K$69.2K$46,583NominalSalary$54,244CoL Adjusted(CoL: 85.876) 16.45%US Median $60.2K

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Jonesboro. Baseline $43,070 in 2025, projected to $48,362 by 2027.$38.0K$41.1K$44.2K$47.2K$50.3K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$43.1K$39.8K$42.2K$46.4K$48.5K$47.3K$44.9K$46.6K$48.4K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$43,070Actual
2020$39,790Actual
2021$42,220Actual
2022$46,380Actual
2023$48,550Actual
2024$47,330Actual
2025$44,869Actual
2026(current)$46,583Estimated
2027$48,362Projected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jonesboro metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Jonesboro, AR in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jonesboro is $46,583/year ($22.39/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.82% annual growth). Salaries range from $37,489 at entry level (10th percentile) to $62,561 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Jonesboro at 22.6% below the national median. Full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Jonesboro, AR a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Jonesboro heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries are 22.6% below the national average and 1.6% below the Arkansas state average. The metro area employs approximately 170 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. With a cost-of-living index of 85.876, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Jonesboro?

The median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jonesboro is $46,583, and the 90th percentile earns $62,561. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jonesboro?

After adjusting for Jonesboro's cost-of-living index of 85.876 (where 100 equals the national average), the $46,583 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $54,244 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 16.4% further in Jonesboro compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers seeking strong real wages.

How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Jonesboro?

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Jonesboro earn a median hourly rate of $22.39, which translates to approximately $46,583/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $18.03 for entry-level positions to $30.09 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

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

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