Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Delray Beach, FL: $54,074 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Delray Beach, FL earns a median $54,074/year (≈ $26.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Delray Beach's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $53,645 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $54,074 for 2026, professionals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer sector in Delray Beach, FL, are positioned below the national average. The local salary range spans from $34,635 to $83,814, reflecting significant income variability. This range illustrates how the commission structures, particularly in residential service companies, can significantly influence earnings, often allowing motivated technicians to push their total compensation well beyond base salaries. These local estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted by regional price parities, indicate that Delray Beach’s job market remains competitive, especially amid the growing demand for HVAC services due to rising temperatures and an increasing focus on energy-efficient systems.
About the Delray Beach Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,635 | $16.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,871 | $21.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,074 | $26.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,071 | $32.25 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,814 | $40.29 |
Median Salary Position
10.14% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Delray Beach
In Delray Beach, FL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,179 (2026 est.). At $54,074, the local median is 10.14% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Delray Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Delray Beach Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Delray Beach median: $54,074/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Delray Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $53,912 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -10.14% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Delray Beach, FL earn a median of $54,074 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.14% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.30% above the Florida state average of $53,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Delray Beach has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Delray Beach, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,074 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,645 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,601
2025 BLS Actual
$52,084
2026 Current Est.
$54,074
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Delray Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,601 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,188 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,515 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,871 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,554 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,084 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,074 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,139 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delray Beach metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $41,601 (2019) to $52,084 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,139 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,538 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delray Beach 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) | $34,635 – $43,871 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,871 – $54,074 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,074 – $67,071 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,071 – $83,814 |
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 Delray Beach
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Delray Beach is relatively small, with only 15 professionals currently employed in this field. However, the cost of living index at 100.8 demonstrates that expenses are slightly above the national average, which can affect take-home pay. Among local employers, residential service companies like Carrier dealers and large franchises tend to offer the highest salaries, often counterbalancing lower base pay with spiffs and commission incentives. To maximize earning potential in Delray Beach, technicians should consider specializing in high-demand areas, such as commercial controls or heat pump installations, which are increasingly sought after with the influx of IRA tax credits. Obtaining certifications—like those from NATE or brand-specific training—can further enhance marketability and salary potential. Prospective and current professionals are encouraged to navigate these opportunities strategically to achieve optimal compensation in this evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Delray Beach, FL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Delray Beach, FL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Delray Beach, FL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Delray Beach, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Delray Beach, FL in 2026?
Is Delray Beach, FL 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 Delray Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Delray Beach?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Delray Beach?
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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 $52,084 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Delray Beach 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 Delray Beach 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