Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Sacramento, CA: $65,756 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Sacramento, CA earns a median $65,756/year (≈ $31.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Sacramento's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 106.7), that paycheck buys what $61,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.4% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sacramento, the 2026 median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $65,756, which reflects a competitive edge over the national median of $60,174. Salary ranges for this occupation within the city exhibit significant variation, from $45,981 at the lower decile (P10) to as high as $99,872 at the upper decile (P90). The diverse work environments—commercial data center operations versus residential service—are instrumental in shaping these figures. Mechanics focused on commercial infrastructure often enjoy more stability and structured pay, while those in residential roles may experience fluctuations tied to commission structures and seasonal demand. This competitive compensation landscape is supported by data from the BLS, which emphasizes the city’s appeal as a growing job market for HVAC professionals.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,981 | $22.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,011 | $24.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,756 | $31.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,596 | $39.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,872 | $48.02 |
Median Salary Position
9.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sacramento
In Sacramento, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,891 (2026 est.). At $65,756, the local median is 9.28% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sacramento: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sacramento Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Sacramento median: $65,756/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sacramento Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,783 | -4.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +9.28% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Sacramento, CA earn a median of $65,756 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.28% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 4.40% below the California state average of $68,783.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sacramento has a cost of living 6.67% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sacramento, CA has a cost-of-living index of 106.67 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,756 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,644 — a 6.25% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,330
2025 BLS Actual
$63,337
2026 Current Est.
$65,756
2019–2027 Growth
+21.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Sacramento (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,920 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,800 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,337 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,756 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sacramento metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 12.4% from $56,330 (2019) to $63,337 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,938 (21.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sacramento 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) | $45,981 – $51,011 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,011 – $65,756 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,756 – $81,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,596 – $99,872 |
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 Sacramento
Across Sacramento, approximately 2,940 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers find employment, making the local job market robust for aspiring technicians. However, with a cost-of-living index of 106.67, effectively managing one’s take-home pay becomes critical. Employers that tend to offer the best salaries include commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations, which frequently pay higher wages due to the technical precision required. The spread in compensation can often be attributed to specialization in areas like data center precision cooling and the commission structures prevalent in residential service companies, where earnings can be significantly boosted through sales. Maximizing one’s pay in this environment involves acquiring brand-specific certifications, such as NATE and Carrier Distinguished Dealer status, and staying adept with emerging technologies related to refrigerants and heat pump installations, especially in light of evolving energy efficiency incentives.
More salary data for Sacramento, CA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Sacramento, CA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Sacramento, CA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Sacramento, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Sacramento, CA in 2026?
Is Sacramento, 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 Sacramento?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Sacramento?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Sacramento?
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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 $63,337 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Sacramento 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