Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Illinois: $76,100 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Illinois's 65 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $76,100/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Illinois sits at BEA RPP 97.1 (3% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $78,373 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Naperville ($74,835), Peoria ($74,775), Chicago ($74,062).
In Illinois, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $76,100 in 2026, which exceeds the national median of $60,174 by 26.5%. The highest paying city, Naperville, offers an average of $77,694, while Kankakee, the lowest, has an average salary of $61,713, reflecting a salary difference of $15,981. This gap can largely be attributed to varying local demands, cost of living, and competition for skilled labor across different regions. Illinois has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that mechanics must navigate, which can impact earning potential and job opportunities. The demand for HVACR professionals is driven by factors such as the continued need for energy-efficient systems, ongoing maintenance, and regulatory changes aimed at improving environmental standards. The projected annual growth rate for this field in Illinois is 3.82%, indicating a steady demand for workers. With a total of 9,011 professionals employed in this sector, the job market is showing a positive outlook, particularly in cities like Naperville, Peoria ($77,631), Chicago ($76,891), Decatur ($76,704), and Elgin ($76,205), where salaries remain competitive.
Illinois Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Illinois: $38,663 (lowest entry-level) to $120,425 (highest top earner)
Illinois vs National Average
Illinois heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 26.47% more than the national median (+$15,926/year difference).
Illinois Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Illinois range from $46,754 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $114,483 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $76,100. The Illinois median is $15,926 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $36.59/hr. Approximately 9,011 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 65 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,567
2025 BLS Actual
$73,300
2026 Current Est.
$76,100
2019–2027 Growth
+32.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Illinois (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,567 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,721 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,261 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,941 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,034 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,584 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,300 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,100 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,007 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Illinois metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 23.1% from $59,567 (2019) to $73,300 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,007 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,440 (32.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Illinois 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Illinois
Lowest Paying Cities in Illinois
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Kankakee | $61,713 |
| Bloomington | $63,153 |
| Rock Island | $64,422 |
| Moline | $65,436 |
| Carbondale | $69,264 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Illinois
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Illinois cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur | $76,704 | 88.422 | $86,748 |
| Peoria | $77,631 | 91.231 | $85,093 |
| Rockford | $74,041 | 92.154 | $80,345 |
| Naperville | $77,694 | 97.1 | $80,014 |
| Champaign | $73,853 | 92.704 | $79,665 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Illinois
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,754 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $76,100 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $114,483 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Illinois metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 65 Cities in Illinois
More Illinois Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Illinois cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Compare Cities in Illinois
View all comparisons →Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Illinois in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Illinois?
How does Illinois heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Illinois?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Illinois?
Which Illinois city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Illinois. State averages are employment-weighted across 65 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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