Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lombard, IL: $71,652 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lombard, IL earns a median $71,652/year (≈ $34.45/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lombard's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $73,792 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.1% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lombard, IL, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $71,652 for 2026, significantly surpassing the national median of $60,174 by approximately 19.07%. The local salary range extends from $45,679 at the 10th percentile to as high as $110,171 for the top earners. This data considers regional price adjustments and reflects a competitive market in an area where commercial and data center operations drive significant demand. Given the structural divide between commercial and residential services, pay scales can vary widely, evidencing the importance of specialization in this field.
About the Lombard Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,679 | $21.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,409 | $28.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,652 | $34.45 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,485 | $43.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,171 | $52.97 |
Median Salary Position
19.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lombard
In Lombard, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,492 (2026 est.). At $71,652, the local median is 19.07% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lombard: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lombard Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lombard median: $71,652/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lombard Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,945 | -3.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +19.07% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lombard, IL earn a median of $71,652 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.07% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.10% below the Illinois state average of $73,945.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lombard 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.
Lombard, 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 $71,652 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,792 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,125
2025 BLS Actual
$69,016
2026 Current Est.
$71,652
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lombard (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,125 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,229 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,011 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,134 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,819 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,978 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,016 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,652 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,390 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lombard metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,125 (2019) to $69,016 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,390 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,265 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lombard 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) | $45,679 – $59,409 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,409 – $71,652 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,652 – $90,485 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,485 – $110,171 |
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 Lombard
Currently, there are only eight heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Lombard, indicating a niche market. With a cost of living index at 97.1, professionals here find their purchasing power slightly enhanced, although caution is still warranted as local wages differ across employers. Notably, commercial HVAC contractors typically offer better compensation compared to residential service companies. Specialties, like precision cooling for data centers or commercial controls, often yield higher salaries than traditional residential work. The spread between low and high wages is influenced by various factors, including commission structures in residential service, which can lead to higher earnings but often come with added pressure. For those aspiring to maximize their earning potential in Lombard, pursuing certifications such as NATE and focusing on high-demand areas like heat pump installations could prove beneficial in enhancing their marketability and pay.
More salary data for Lombard, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Lombard, IL in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Lombard?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Lombard?
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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 $69,016 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lombard 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 Lombard 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