Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Pomona, CA: $71,073 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Pomona, CA earns a median $71,073/year (≈ $34.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Pomona's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $62,841 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pomona, California, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $71,073 for 2026, reflecting a robust compensation scenario especially when considering the national median of $60,174. Local estimates indicate a salary range from $45,541 at the 10th percentile to $110,163 for the 90th percentile. Factors impacting this salary landscape include the city's dichotomy between commercial and residential service work. Specialists working in commercial environments, such as data centers and industrial facilities, tend to earn more than those focused on residential service, which can be impacted by commission structures and seasonal demand shifts.
About the Pomona Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,541 | $21.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,318 | $26.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,073 | $34.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,846 | $43.20 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,163 | $52.96 |
Median Salary Position
18.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pomona
In Pomona, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,622 (2026 est.). At $71,073, the local median is 18.11% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pomona: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pomona Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Pomona median: $71,073/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pomona Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,736 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +18.11% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Pomona, CA earn a median of $71,073 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.11% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.40% above the California state average of $68,736.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pomona has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pomona, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,073 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,841 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$54,679
2025 BLS Actual
$68,458
2026 Current Est.
$71,073
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Pomona (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,679 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,766 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,567 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,664 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,295 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,501 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,458 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,073 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pomona metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $54,679 (2019) to $68,458 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,109 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pomona 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) | $45,541 – $55,318 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,318 – $71,073 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,073 – $89,846 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,846 – $110,163 |
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 Pomona
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Pomona is fairly stable, with 36 professionals employed in this field. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the local purchasing power does present challenges for take-home pay. Employers in Pomona, including commercial HVAC contractors and specialized refrigeration companies, often offer more competitive salaries compared to residential service companies. Factors such as brand-specific certifications like NATE and the transition towards heat pump technologies due to recent tax incentives can also influence income levels. To maximize earning potential in Pomona, tradespeople should consider diversifying their skills towards commercial HVAC services, obtaining state contractor licenses, and seeking opportunities in data center environments, as these positions typically offer more stable and higher pay.
More salary data for Pomona, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Pomona, CA in 2026?
Is Pomona, CA a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Pomona?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Pomona?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Pomona?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $68,458 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Pomona 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 Pomona 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