Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL: $72,323 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lake in the Hills, IL earns a median $72,323/year (≈ $34.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lake in the Hills's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $74,483 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Lake in the Hills, Illinois, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $72,323, which is significantly higher than the national median of $60,174. The local salary range spans from $47,146 at the 10th percentile to $112,101 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse levels of expertise and specialization among professionals in this field. These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional economic conditions. With the recent growth of heat pump installations, fueled by IRA tax credits, the need for qualified technicians is increasing, reshaping hiring patterns in the Lake in the Hills job market.
About the Lake in the Hills Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,146 | $22.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,385 | $27.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,323 | $34.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,913 | $42.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $112,101 | $53.89 |
Median Salary Position
20.19% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lake in the Hills
In Lake in the Hills, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,955 (2026 est.). At $72,323, the local median is 20.19% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lake in the Hills: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lake in the Hills Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lake in the Hills median: $72,323/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lake in the Hills Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,950 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +20.19% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lake in the Hills, IL earn a median of $72,323 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.19% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.20% below the Illinois state average of $73,950.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lake in the Hills 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.
Lake in the Hills, 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 $72,323 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $74,483 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,641
2025 BLS Actual
$69,662
2026 Current Est.
$72,323
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lake in the Hills (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,641 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,526 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,678 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,426 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,577 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,662 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,323 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,086 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lake in the Hills metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,641 (2019) to $69,662 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,086 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,445 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lake in the Hills 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) | $47,146 – $56,385 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,385 – $72,323 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,323 – $87,913 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,913 – $112,101 |
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 Lake in the Hills
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Lake in the Hills is currently solid, with six individuals employed in this region. The cost-of-living index stands at 97.1, suggesting that living expenses are below the national average, which positively impacts disposable income for those in this career. High-paying employers in the area include commercial HVAC contractors and multi-location residential service companies, with salaries influenced by the type of work and specialization. For instance, technicians involved in precision cooling for data centers often command higher pay than those focused solely on residential service. Variability in earnings is also linked to factors such as commission structures at service companies, on-call demands, and specific certifications like NATE. As the market expands due to the growing focus on heat pumps and energy-efficient technologies, professionals who enhance their qualifications and adapt to emerging refrigerants will likely maximize their earning potential in Lake in the Hills, IL.
More salary data for Lake in the Hills, IL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Lake in the Hills, IL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lake in the Hills, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Lake in the Hills, IL in 2026?
Is Lake in the Hills, 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 Lake in the Hills?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Lake in the Hills?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Lake in the Hills?
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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 $69,662 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lake in the Hills 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 Lake in the Hills 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