Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Torrance, CA: $69,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Torrance, CA earns a median $69,934/year (≈ $33.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Torrance's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $61,834 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Torrance, CA, can expect a competitive median annual salary of $69,934 in 2026, which exceeds the national median by 16.22%. The local salary range spans from $43,012 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $108,398 at the upper echelon (90th percentile), reflecting the diverse opportunities in both commercial and residential service sectors. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional pricing highlight significant earning potential, particularly in commercial environments such as data centers and industrial facilities, where the demand for specialized knowledge is growing. This duality in the job market equips workers with the ability to choose pathways that align with their skills and preferences.
About the Torrance Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,012 | $20.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,069 | $25.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,934 | $33.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,516 | $43.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,398 | $52.12 |
Median Salary Position
16.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Torrance
In Torrance, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,386 (2026 est.). At $69,934, the local median is 16.22% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Torrance: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Torrance Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Torrance median: $69,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Torrance Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,765 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +16.22% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Torrance, CA earn a median of $69,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% above the California state average of $68,765.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Torrance has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Torrance, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,934 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,834 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,803
2025 BLS Actual
$67,361
2026 Current Est.
$69,934
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Torrance (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,803 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,856 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,692 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,265 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,227 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,606 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Torrance metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $53,803 (2019) to $67,361 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,606 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,803 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Torrance 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) | $43,012 – $53,069 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,069 – $69,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,934 – $89,516 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,516 – $108,398 |
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 Torrance
In Torrance, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is robust, with 26 professionals currently employed in this field. The cost of living index of 113.1 indicates that, while salaries are favorable, the purchasing power can be influenced by local expenses. Larger employers, particularly commercial HVAC contractors and data center operations, tend to offer more substantial salaries compared to residential service firms, where commissions play a significant role in total compensation. The spread between low and high pay often correlates with specialization, required certifications, and the demand for skills in emerging areas like heat pump installation, especially with the IRA tax credits encouraging adoption. For those looking to optimize their pay in Torrance, pursuing additional certifications such as NATE and engaging in continuous training will enhance employment prospects and earning potential.
More salary data for Torrance, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Torrance, CA in 2026?
Is Torrance, 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 Torrance?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Torrance?
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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 $67,361 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Torrance 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 Torrance 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