Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Fort Collins, CO: $65,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Fort Collins, CO earns a median $65,382/year (≈ $31.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Fort Collins's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.1), that paycheck buys what $64,653 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the Colorado state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The growth of heat pump installations, driven by the IRA tax credits, is reshaping the hiring landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Fort Collins. In 2026, workers in this field are projected to earn a median annual salary of $65,382, surpassing the national median of $60,174 by 8.65%. Salary ranges vary considerably, from $47,618 at the 10th percentile to $103,580 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse demands and skill levels required in the industry. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate a robust job market for HVAC professionals amidst rising residential demand.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,618 | $22.89 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,813 | $28.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,382 | $31.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $102,673 | $49.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,580 | $49.80 |
Median Salary Position
8.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, CO, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,962 (2026 est.). At $65,382, the local median is 8.65% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Fort Collins: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fort Collins Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Fort Collins median: $65,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fort Collins Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Colorado Average | $61,162 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +8.65% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Fort Collins, CO earn a median of $65,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.65% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.90% above the Colorado state average of $61,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fort Collins has a cost of living 1.13% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fort Collins, CO has a cost-of-living index of 101.128 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,382 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,653 — a 1.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,740
2025 BLS Actual
$62,976
2026 Current Est.
$65,382
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Fort Collins (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,976 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,879 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fort Collins metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 17.2% from $53,740 (2019) to $62,976 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,879 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,139 (26.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fort Collins 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) | $47,618 – $58,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,813 – $65,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,382 – $102,673 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $102,673 – $103,580 |
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 Fort Collins
In Fort Collins, approximately 930 individuals are employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, a stable figure that suggests ongoing local demand. The cost of living index stands at 101.128, slightly above the national average, meaning take-home pay needs to be carefully managed to maintain purchasing power. Employers are looking for technicians with specialized skills, particularly in areas like commercial HVAC and data center operations, which tend to offer higher pay than residential services. The pay spectrum is influenced by factors including specialty certifications, commission structures, and on-call duties. Understanding the market dynamics and aligning oneself with the right employers, such as Carrier or Trane specialists, can significantly enhance earning potential in this competitive field in Fort Collins CO.
More salary data for Fort Collins, CO:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Fort Collins, CO
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Fort Collins, CO
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Fort Collins, CO
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Fort Collins, CO in 2026?
Is Fort Collins, CO 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 Fort Collins?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Fort Collins?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Fort Collins?
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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 $62,976 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Fort Collins 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