Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Pocatello, ID: $50,242 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Pocatello, ID earns a median $50,242/year (≈ $24.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Pocatello's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.9), that paycheck buys what $56,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the Idaho state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Pocatello is projected to be $50,242, which is approximately 16.51% lower than the national median of $60,174. The pay range is quite broad, starting at $36,690 for the lowest 10% and reaching up to $80,472 for those in the top 10%. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, which indicates a growing demand for technicians, particularly with the rise of heat pump installations driven by the IRA tax credits. This has reshaped hiring practices in Pocatello, making it a pivotal location for HVAC professionals eager to capitalize on this expanding market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,690 | $17.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,206 | $21.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,242 | $24.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,759 | $34.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,472 | $38.68 |
Median Salary Position
16.51% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pocatello
In Pocatello, ID, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,782 (2026 est.). At $50,242, the local median is 16.51% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Pocatello: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pocatello Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Pocatello median: $50,242/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pocatello Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho Average | $50,292 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -16.51% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Pocatello, ID earn a median of $50,242 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.51% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.10% below the Idaho state average of $50,292.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pocatello has a cost of living 11.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pocatello, ID has a cost-of-living index of 88.906 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $50,242 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,511 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,160
2025 BLS Actual
$48,393
2026 Current Est.
$50,242
2019–2027 Growth
+40.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Pocatello (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,393 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,242 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pocatello metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 30.2% from $37,160 (2019) to $48,393 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,001 (40.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pocatello 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) | $36,690 – $44,206 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,206 – $50,242 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,242 – $72,759 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,759 – $80,472 |
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 Pocatello
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Pocatello is strong, with around 190 individuals employed in this sector. The cost-of-living index of 88.906 reflects a lower-than-average living expense, which positively impacts take-home pay and purchasing power for local workers. Notably, residential service companies often offer the highest compensation, especially for technicians who thrive in a commission-driven environment. Specialty fields such as data center precision cooling and commercial HVAC can yield significantly higher salaries due to their technical demands and the necessity for expertise in on-call rotations. Furthermore, technicians seeking to increase their earnings should consider obtaining state contractor licenses and brand-specific certifications, such as NATE or Carrier training, to enhance their marketability as job demands evolve with new technology and environmental regulations.
More salary data for Pocatello, ID:
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 $48,393 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Pocatello 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, 6-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