Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Redding, CA: $62,156 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Redding, CA earns a median $62,156/year (≈ $29.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Redding's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.7), that paycheck buys what $61,734 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.6% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Redding, California, the landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is evolving. With a median annual salary projected at $62,156 for 2026, specialists in this field can expect to earn between $46,020 and $92,307 depending on experience, expertise, and employer. This increase aligns with the recent push for heat pump installations and the accompanying tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. Such incentives are expected to drive hiring and reshape the job market, as technicians become increasingly valuable to residential service companies amid growing demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,020 | $22.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,219 | $27.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,156 | $29.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,493 | $37.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $92,307 | $44.38 |
Median Salary Position
3.29% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Redding
In Redding, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,287 (2026 est.). At $62,156, the local median is 3.29% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Redding: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Redding Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Redding median: $62,156/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Redding Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,757 | -9.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +3.29% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Redding, CA earn a median of $62,156 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.29% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 9.60% below the California state average of $68,757.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Redding has a cost of living 0.68% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Redding, CA has a cost-of-living index of 100.684 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,156 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,734 — a 0.68% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,750
2025 BLS Actual
$59,869
2026 Current Est.
$62,156
2019–2027 Growth
+22.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Redding (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,750 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,350 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,869 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,156 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Redding metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 13.5% from $52,750 (2019) to $59,869 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,780 (22.33%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Redding 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) | $46,020 – $56,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,219 – $62,156 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,156 – $77,493 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,493 – $92,307 |
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 Redding
The local job market reflects the employment of approximately 160 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Redding. Given the cost of living index is at 100.684, professionals must consider how their pay translates to purchasing power. Employers such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors typically offer varying salaries, influenced by factors like specialization, commission structures, and on-call rotation premiums. Those involved in data center HVAC operations or specialty refrigeration are often among the better-paid workers due to their technical skills and certifications. Aspiring technicians keen on maximizing their pay should focus on brand-specific certifications, resistive training for new refrigerants, and be prepared for the pressures of commission-based roles, primarily within high-demand residential markets.
More salary data for Redding, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Redding?
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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 $59,869 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Redding 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