Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Wildwood, FL: $50,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Wildwood, FL earns a median $50,518/year (≈ $24.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Wildwood's price level (15% below national, BEA RPP 85.4), that paycheck buys what $59,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Florida state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wildwood, the rising focus on heat pump installations fueled by IRA tax credits is reshaping the hiring landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The projected median annual salary for this profession in 2026 is $50,518, with salaries ranging from $37,144 at the lower end to $77,000 for those at the top of the scale. These figures are derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, reflecting not only the current economic conditions but also the increasing demand for qualified technicians in the area. The growth in residential heating and cooling services signals a promising job market for those enterprising enough to harness this opportunity.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,144 | $17.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,876 | $19.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,518 | $24.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,997 | $31.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,000 | $37.02 |
Median Salary Position
16.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wildwood
In Wildwood, FL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,856 (2026 est.). At $50,518, the local median is 16.05% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wildwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wildwood Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Wildwood median: $50,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wildwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $53,914 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -16.05% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Wildwood, FL earn a median of $50,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.05% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.30% below the Florida state average of $53,914.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wildwood has a cost of living 14.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wildwood, FL has a cost-of-living index of 85.424 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $50,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,138 in an average-cost city — an effective 17.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,865
2025 BLS Actual
$48,659
2026 Current Est.
$50,518
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Wildwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,865 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,348 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,785 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,840 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,659 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,448 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wildwood metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $38,865 (2019) to $48,659 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,448 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,583 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wildwood 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) | $37,144 – $39,876 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,876 – $50,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,518 – $64,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,997 – $77,000 |
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 Wildwood
Wildwood’s market shows a solid presence of around 200 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The cost of living index, sitting at 85.424, suggests that technicians may enjoy a favorable purchasing power relative to their salaries. Leading employers such as commercial HVAC contractors and residential service companies are pivotal in determining wage variances; those working for reputable firms like Carrier or Trane often access higher pay brackets due to specialization and certification requirements, notably for those involved in the burgeoning installation of heat pumps. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to multiple factors including the nature of work (commercial versus residential), commission structures, and certifications like NATE or EPA licenses. For aspiring professionals in Wildwood, enhancing their qualifications and focusing on high-demand specialties like precision cooling can significantly boost potential earnings in this competitive market.
More salary data for Wildwood, FL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $48,659 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Wildwood 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, 2-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