Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lewiston, ID: $49,196 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lewiston, ID earns a median $49,196/year (≈ $23.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lewiston's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.2), that paycheck buys what $53,967 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Lewiston, ID, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $49,196, well below the national average of $60,174. The salary range for these positions spans from $36,957 at the 10th percentile to $71,250 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variable demand in this sector. This salary data arises from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, which indicate that the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Lewiston is affected significantly by the rising need for heat pump installations driven by the IRA tax credits. With the local market seeing increased hiring due to this growth, the job landscape remains competitive for those entering or advancing in the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,957 | $17.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,263 | $20.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,196 | $23.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,195 | $29.90 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,250 | $34.25 |
Median Salary Position
18.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lewiston
In Lewiston, ID, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,293 (2026 est.). At $49,196, the local median is 18.24% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lewiston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lewiston Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lewiston median: $49,196/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lewiston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,303 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -18.24% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lewiston, ID earn a median of $49,196 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.24% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.20% below the Idaho state average of $50,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lewiston has a cost of living 8.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lewiston, ID has a cost-of-living index of 91.16 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $49,196 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,967 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.7% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,400
2025 BLS Actual
$47,386
2026 Current Est.
$49,196
2019–2027 Growth
+26.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lewiston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,400 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,386 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,196 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,075 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lewiston metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 17.3% from $40,400 (2019) to $47,386 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,075 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,675 (26.42%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lewiston 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) | $36,957 – $42,263 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,263 – $49,196 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,196 – $62,195 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,195 – $71,250 |
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 Lewiston
With about 100 individuals currently employed in this trade in Lewiston, the strength of the local job market supports a healthy demand for skilled technicians. The cost of living index in the area is notably below the national average at 91.16, which enhances the purchasing power of wages. Among employers, residential service companies such as Carrier dealers and ARS/Rescue Rooter tend to offer the highest pay, particularly due to their commission and spiff structures that can significantly increase earnings. The discrepancy between lower and higher pay is often driven by specialization, where those working in commercial HVAC or advanced refrigeration technology may command higher salaries. To maximize pay, it’s advisable for technicians to further their qualifications with brand-specific certifications like NATE or engage with state contractor licensing opportunities, particularly as the heat pump market continues to expand in Idaho.
More salary data for Lewiston, ID:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Lewiston, ID in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Lewiston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Lewiston?
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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 $47,386 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lewiston 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, 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