Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Richmond, CA: $70,057 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Richmond, CA earns a median $70,057/year (≈ $33.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $61,943 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Richmond is projected to reach a median of $70,057, surpassing the national median of $60,174 by a notable margin of 16.42%. Local mechanics and installers can expect to earn between $43,280 at the lower end (P10) and $108,587 at the higher end (P90) of the salary spectrum. This salary range reflects a substantial structural divide in the local market, particularly between residential service roles and more lucrative commercial or data center positions. The data presented here is based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations, and it illustrates Richmond's position as a competitive locale for HVAC professionals.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,280 | $20.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,308 | $25.63 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,057 | $33.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,867 | $42.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,587 | $52.20 |
Median Salary Position
16.42% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,307 (2026 est.). At $70,057, the local median is 16.42% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Richmond median: $70,057/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,750 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +16.42% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Richmond, CA earn a median of $70,057 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.42% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.90% above the California state average of $68,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,057 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,943 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,897
2025 BLS Actual
$67,479
2026 Current Est.
$70,057
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,897 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,954 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,786 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,839 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,376 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,364 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,479 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,057 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,733 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $53,897 (2019) to $67,479 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,733 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,836 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $43,280 – $53,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,308 – $70,057 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,057 – $88,867 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,867 – $108,587 |
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 Richmond
The local job market employs 25 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, indicating a steady demand for these technicians. Richmond's cost-of-living index stands at 113.1, suggesting that while salaries may appear generous, the purchasing power is somewhat diminished due to higher living expenses. Among employers, commercial HVAC contractors and large data center teams generally offer the most competitive pay, while residential service companies often implement commission structures that can yield high earnings for motivated technicians, especially amid the growing demand for heat pump installations spurred by IRA tax credits. The variations in pay reflect factors such as specialty skills in data center precision cooling and the influence of commission systems in residential roles. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Richmond, investing in certifications such as NATE or gaining experience in commercial setups could be advantageous, as both enhance one’s marketability in this evolving industry.
More salary data for Richmond, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Richmond, CA in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Richmond?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Richmond?
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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 $67,479 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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