Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Winter Garden, FL: $52,018 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Winter Garden, FL earns a median $52,018/year (≈ $25.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Winter Garden's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.8), that paycheck buys what $51,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Florida state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those considering a career as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Winter Garden, the projected median annual salary in 2026 is $52,018. This figure represents a notable 13.55% lower compensation compared to the national median of $60,174, with salaries in the area ranging from $37,061 at the lower end (P10) to $79,521 at the high end (P90). Estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, taking into account local cost adjustments. Understanding this pay structure is crucial, especially since residential commission strategies can significantly enhance earnings for those who excel in sales, potentially pushing salaries beyond the typical expectations for this trade.
About the Winter Garden Market
Salary estimated from Florida average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,061 | $17.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,841 | $20.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,018 | $25.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,410 | $31.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,521 | $38.23 |
Median Salary Position
13.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winter Garden
In Winter Garden, FL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,460 (2026 est.). At $52,018, the local median is 13.55% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winter Garden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winter Garden Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Winter Garden median: $52,018/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winter Garden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Florida Average | $53,905 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -13.55% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Winter Garden, FL earn a median of $52,018 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.55% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.50% below the Florida state average of $53,905.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winter Garden has a cost of living 0.80% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winter Garden, FL has a cost-of-living index of 100.8 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $52,018 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $51,605 — a 0.79% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,019
2025 BLS Actual
$50,104
2026 Current Est.
$52,018
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Winter Garden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,547 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,937 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,204 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,057 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,557 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,104 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,018 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,005 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winter Garden metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $40,019 (2019) to $50,104 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,005 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,986 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winter Garden 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) | $37,061 – $42,841 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,841 – $52,018 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,018 – $65,410 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,410 – $79,521 |
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 Winter Garden
Analyzing the local job market reveals that Winter Garden currently employs ten individuals in this sector, indicative of a tight labor pool. With a cost-of-living index of 100.8, living expenses are slightly above the national average, which can impact take-home pay for residents. Among employers in Winter Garden, those in residential service, particularly Carrier dealers and multi-location franchises, often provide the highest compensation, especially when commission structures and spiffs are factored in. The disparity in earnings stems from various factors, such as specialization in commercial applications (data centers and industrial buildings) compared to residential service. Opportunities in the growing demand for heat pump installations, driven by tax credits under the IRA, also contribute to potential growth in compensation. To maximize potential earnings in this market, technicians should consider obtaining state contractor licenses and industry certifications (like NATE) while remaining adaptable to emerging technologies and market demands.
More salary data for Winter Garden, FL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Winter Garden, FL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Winter Garden, FL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Winter Garden, FL
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Winter Garden, FL in 2026?
Is Winter Garden, 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 Winter Garden?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Winter Garden?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Winter Garden?
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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 $50,104 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Winter Garden 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 Winter Garden 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