Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Carol Stream, IL: $71,698 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Carol Stream, IL earns a median $71,698/year (≈ $34.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Carol Stream's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $73,839 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Carol Stream, Illinois, is $71,698, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national average of $60,174. The local salary range extends from $45,783 at the 10th percentile to $110,330 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity based on experience, specializations, and work environments. This data, derived from BLS state-level figures adjusted for regional price parity, highlights the unique electric balance between residential service and commercial employment settings. Demand for skilled professionals in high-density data center operations and specialized commercial contracts suggests a robust job market for those equipped with the necessary certifications and training.
About the Carol Stream Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,783 | $22.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,503 | $28.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,698 | $34.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,596 | $43.55 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,330 | $53.04 |
Median Salary Position
19.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Carol Stream
In Carol Stream, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,547 (2026 est.). At $71,698, the local median is 19.15% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Carol Stream: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Carol Stream Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Carol Stream median: $71,698/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Carol Stream Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,916 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +19.15% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Carol Stream, IL earn a median of $71,698 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.15% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $73,916.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Carol Stream has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Carol Stream, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $71,698 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,839 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,160
2025 BLS Actual
$69,060
2026 Current Est.
$71,698
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Carol Stream (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,265 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,171 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,019 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,060 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,698 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,437 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Carol Stream metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,160 (2019) to $69,060 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,437 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,277 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Carol Stream 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) | $45,783 – $59,503 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,503 – $71,698 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,698 – $90,596 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,596 – $110,330 |
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 Carol Stream
Employment in Carol Stream is relatively limited, with only 10 mechanics and installers actively working in the area. Despite this, the cost of living index at 97.1 indicates that residents have slightly more purchasing power compared to the national average. Larger employers in the region, such as commercial HVAC contractors and major corporations involved in data center operations, are generally the highest payers. The contrast in earnings often ties back to job demands, including the precision needed for data center cooling systems versus residential service demands. In this competitive environment, strategies such as obtaining advanced certifications like NATE or focusing on commercial HVAC systems could help maximize earning potential while adapting to trends like the heat pump and IRA tax credit expansion. Exploring self-employment also presents a viable avenue for building a lucrative career, especially with additional skills like energy efficiency and advanced refrigerant management that are increasingly valuable in today's market.
More salary data for Carol Stream, IL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Carol Stream, IL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Carol Stream, IL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Carol Stream, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Carol Stream, IL in 2026?
Is Carol Stream, IL 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 Carol Stream?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Carol Stream?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Carol Stream?
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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 $69,060 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Carol Stream 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 Carol Stream 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