Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Delaware: $58,872 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $58,872/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,888 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($62,399), Dover ($56,820), Newark ($55,637).
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Delaware are projected to earn an average median salary of $58,872, slightly below the national median of $60,174, reflecting a difference of 2.2%. Wilmington offers the highest salaries in the state at $64,783, while Middletown has the lowest at $53,715, resulting in a salary gap of $11,068. This discrepancy can be attributed to factors such as local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of industrial and commercial establishments in Wilmington. Delaware enforces specific licensing requirements for these professionals, influencing their earning potential and market participation. Training programs prepare individuals for a variety of tasks, and as demand for HVAC services remains strong, driven by both residential and commercial needs, job prospects are predicted to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%. With 212 projected employed mechanics and installers, cities like Dover and Newark forecast salaries of $58,991 and $57,762, respectively. The job market for this field in Delaware appears positive, as the projected growth reflects the ongoing need for skilled professionals to maintain, repair, and install heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Delaware Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $36,777 (lowest entry-level) to $98,397 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 2.16% less than the national median ($-1,302/year difference).
Delaware Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Delaware range from $41,526 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,508 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,872. The Delaware median is $1,302 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $28.31/hr. Approximately 212 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,620
2025 BLS Actual
$56,706
2026 Current Est.
$58,872
2019–2027 Growth
+34.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,620 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,910 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,368 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,706 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,872 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,121 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 24.3% from $45,620 (2019) to $56,706 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,121 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,501 (33.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Middletown | $53,715 |
| Smyrna | $53,860 |
| Bear | $55,714 |
| Newark | $57,762 |
| Dover | $58,991 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $64,783 | 101.7 | $63,700 |
| Dover | $58,991 | 97.507 | $60,499 |
| Newark | $57,762 | 101.7 | $56,796 |
| Bear | $55,714 | 101.7 | $54,783 |
| Smyrna | $53,860 | 101.7 | $52,960 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,526 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,872 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,508 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $64,783 |
| 2 | Dover | $58,991 |
| 3 | Newark | $57,762 |
| 4 | Bear | $55,714 |
| 5 | Smyrna | $53,860 |
| 6 | Middletown | $53,715 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Delaware cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Delaware in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Delaware?
How does Delaware heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Delaware?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Delaware?
Which Delaware city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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