Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Meriden, CT: $74,179 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Meriden, CT earns a median $74,179/year (≈ $35.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Meriden's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.9), that paycheck buys what $68,748 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Connecticut state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the earnings of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Meriden CT are projected to reach a median annual salary of $74,179, reflecting robust demand in both residential and commercial markets. With a salary range from $51,606 at the lower end (P10) to $112,622 for top earners (P90), these figures highlight the potential for significant income variation based on the specialized skills and roles undertaken. The higher wages in commercial sectors, especially in data center operations, reveal the structural divide that influences compensation within the industry. Local estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for Connecticut's cost of living, indicate that Meriden’s job market offers competitive pay, outpacing the national median of $60,174 by 23.27%.
About the Meriden Market
Salary estimated from Connecticut average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,606 | $24.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,425 | $29.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,179 | $35.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,137 | $44.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,622 | $54.14 |
Median Salary Position
23.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Meriden
In Meriden, CT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,016 (2026 est.). At $74,179, the local median is 23.27% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Meriden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Meriden Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Meriden median: $74,179/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Meriden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Connecticut Average | $75,156 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +23.27% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Meriden, CT earn a median of $74,179 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.27% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% below the Connecticut state average of $75,156.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Meriden has a cost of living 7.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Meriden, CT has a cost-of-living index of 107.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,179 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $68,748 — a 7.32% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,069
2025 BLS Actual
$71,450
2026 Current Est.
$74,179
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Meriden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,069 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,247 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,952 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,184 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,105 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,307 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,179 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,013 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Meriden metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $57,069 (2019) to $71,450 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,013 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,944 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Meriden 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) | $51,606 – $60,425 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,425 – $74,179 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,179 – $92,137 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,137 – $112,622 |
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 Meriden
In Meriden, the local job market comprises 12 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, who face a cost of living index of 107.9. This figure suggests that while salaries are higher than the national average, take-home purchasing power may be impacted by the increased living costs. Major employers include residential service companies like Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists, as well as commercial HVAC contractors managing industrial buildings and hospitals. The range in pay can be attributed to several factors, including specialization in areas such as commercial controls and the high precision demands of data center applications. Strategies for maximizing compensation include pursuing brand-specific certifications like NATE and Carrier Distinguished Dealer status, as well as considering self-employment opportunities, which can leverage the commission structure to significantly boost earnings amidst growing demand for heat pumps fueled by tax credit incentives.
More salary data for Meriden, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Meriden?
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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 $71,450 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Meriden 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 Meriden 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