Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in El Monte, CA: $70,545 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in El Monte, CA earns a median $70,545/year (≈ $33.92/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in El Monte's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $62,374 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in El Monte, California is projected to reach a median of $70,545, surpassing the national average of $60,174 by 17.24%. The local salary range extends from $44,645 at the 10th percentile to $109,344 at the 90th percentile, reflecting significant earning potential for those specialized in commercial applications, like data center HVAC systems, compared to the residential service sector. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data with regional price adjustments, indicate a robust job market in El Monte, where the demand for skilled technicians is growing amid increasing reliance on sophisticated heating and cooling systems.
About the El Monte Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,645 | $21.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,270 | $26.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,545 | $33.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,088 | $43.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $109,344 | $52.57 |
Median Salary Position
17.24% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Monte
In El Monte, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,699 (2026 est.). At $70,545, the local median is 17.24% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Monte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Monte Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
El Monte median: $70,545/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Monte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,757 | +2.60% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +17.24% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in El Monte, CA earn a median of $70,545 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.24% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.60% above the California state average of $68,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Monte has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Monte, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,545 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,374 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,272
2025 BLS Actual
$67,949
2026 Current Est.
$70,545
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in El Monte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,272 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,344 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,161 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,235 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,817 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,911 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,949 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,545 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,239 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Monte metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $54,272 (2019) to $67,949 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,239 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,967 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Monte 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) | $44,645 – $54,270 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,270 – $70,545 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,545 – $90,088 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,088 – $109,344 |
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 El Monte
The local employment landscape currently comprises around 20 professionals working in this field, indicating a tight-knit industry where opportunities may be scarce but lucrative. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, El Monte's salaries provide a reasonable purchasing power, though competition for well-paying positions remains fierce. Top employers include commercial HVAC contractors involved in large-scale projects as well as specialized refrigeration companies that service supermarkets and restaurants. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors, including the demand for specific expertise in areas like precision cooling systems or advanced refrigerants, and the lucrative commission structures at residential service firms, which can drive earnings significantly higher. To maximize pay in this market, technicians should focus on continued education, acquiring brand-specific certifications, and exploring opportunities in sectors experiencing growth, such as those associated with heat pump installations and advanced refrigerant technologies.
More salary data for El Monte, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in El Monte, CA in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in El Monte?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in El Monte?
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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 $67,949 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the El Monte 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 El Monte 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