Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bear, DE: $55,714 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bear, DE earns a median $55,714/year (≈ $26.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bear's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $54,783 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bear, Delaware, the projected salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $55,714, reflecting a trend shaped by the growing interest in heat pumps and the accompanying IRA tax credits. The salary range extends from $38,601 at the 10th percentile to $79,797 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earning potential within this market. Estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjustments for regional pricing suggest that despite the positive industry growth, Bear's compensation is somewhat lower than the national median of $60,174. This nuanced shift in compensation highlights the evolving landscape of hiring practices in response to expanding technology and environmental policies, ultimately affecting the local workforce dynamics.
About the Bear Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,601 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,896 | $21.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,714 | $26.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,435 | $32.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,797 | $38.36 |
Median Salary Position
7.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bear
In Bear, DE, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,196 (2026 est.). At $55,714, the local median is 7.41% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bear: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bear Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bear median: $55,714/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bear Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $58,157 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -7.41% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bear, DE earn a median of $55,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.20% below the Delaware state average of $58,157.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bear has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bear, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,714 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,783 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,863
2025 BLS Actual
$53,664
2026 Current Est.
$55,714
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bear (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,863 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,499 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,775 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,202 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,401 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,425 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,664 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,714 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,842 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bear metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $42,863 (2019) to $53,664 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,842 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,979 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bear 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) | $38,601 – $44,896 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,896 – $55,714 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,714 – $67,435 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,435 – $79,797 |
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 Bear
Currently, Bear employs six heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, highlighting the localized job market strength. The cost of living index at 101.7 indicates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect the take-home pay of workers in the area. Notably, employers such as residential service companies and large data center HVAC operations often offer competitive wages, with some driving elevated pay through commission structures, particularly for high-volume work. The disparity between the lower end and upper end of the pay scale can be attributed to factors like specialization in commercial systems versus residential services, the on-call requirements, and sought-after certifications such as NATE or state contractor licenses. For those in Bear looking to maximize earnings, focusing on growing sectors like heat pump installation and pursuing advanced certifications can provide better career trajectory and increased financial returns in a competitive market.
More salary data for Bear, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Bear?
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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 $53,664 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bear 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 Bear 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