Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Upland, CA: $66,490 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Upland, CA earns a median $66,490/year (≈ $31.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,789 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upland, California, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $66,490, representing a 10.50% increase compared to the national median of $60,174. The salary range for these professionals in the area varies significantly, with figures from $43,814 at the 10th percentile to $103,060 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions, reflecting the demand for skilled technicians in both residential installations and commercial data center operations. Given the competitive landscape of the HVAC industry in Upland, mechanics specializing in commercial systems may command higher wages due to the technical complexities involved.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,814 | $21.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,535 | $25.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,490 | $31.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,949 | $40.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,060 | $49.55 |
Median Salary Position
10.50% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,246 (2026 est.). At $66,490, the local median is 10.5% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Upland median: $66,490/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,760 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +10.50% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Upland, CA earn a median of $66,490 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.50% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.30% below the California state average of $68,760.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,490 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,789 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,153
2025 BLS Actual
$64,044
2026 Current Est.
$66,490
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,106 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,048 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,946 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,376 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,044 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,490 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,030 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $51,153 (2019) to $64,044 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,030 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,877 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $43,814 – $52,535 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,535 – $66,490 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,490 – $84,949 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,949 – $103,060 |
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 Upland
The job market in Upland currently employs 18 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, emphasizing a growing need for these roles given the area's above-average cost of living index of 113.1. This index suggests that while salaries may be higher than some national averages, purchasing power can be affected. Employers in Upland that pay top rates include commercial HVAC contractors and large data centers, where precision and reliability in cooling systems are paramount. The wage disparity in this field is often driven by specialization—those with state contractor licenses or specific certifications, like NATE or Carrier distinctions, may earn significantly more. With a booming demand for heat pump installations spurred by government tax credits, there are substantial opportunities for technicians to enhance their earnings, particularly in residential service sectors, where commissions can boost total compensation significantly. Strategic career choices, such as pursuing certification in emerging technologies and gaining experience in high-demand sectors, could maximize potential income for HVAC professionals in Upland.
More salary data for Upland, 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 Upland?
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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 $64,044 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Upland 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 Upland 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