Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Moline, IL: $65,436 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Moline, IL earns a median $65,436/year (≈ $31.46/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Moline's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $67,390 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.5% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Moline, IL, can expect a median annual salary of $65,436 in 2026. This figure not only reflects a competitive position compared to the national median of $60,174 but shows an 8.74% increase, indicating a strong local market. The salary range extends from $43,468 at the 10th percentile to $96,651 at the 90th percentile, offering opportunities for various experience levels and specializations. These estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, and adjusted for regional cost considerations. As the demand for heat pump installations rises, incentivized by IRA tax credits, Moline's job market is experiencing transformative growth and evolving hiring practices.
About the Moline Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,468 | $20.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,768 | $24.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,436 | $31.46 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,632 | $39.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,651 | $46.47 |
Median Salary Position
8.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Moline
In Moline, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,183 (2026 est.). At $65,436, the local median is 8.74% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Moline: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Moline Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Moline median: $65,436/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Moline Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,939 | -11.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +8.74% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Moline, IL earn a median of $65,436 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.74% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 11.50% below the Illinois state average of $73,939.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Moline 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.
Moline, 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 $65,436 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,390 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,342
2025 BLS Actual
$63,028
2026 Current Est.
$65,436
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Moline (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,263 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,239 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,195 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,182 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,028 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,436 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Moline metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $50,342 (2019) to $63,028 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,593 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Moline 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) | $43,468 – $51,768 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,768 – $65,436 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,436 – $81,632 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,632 – $96,651 |
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 Moline
The local job market currently employs ten heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which speaks to a relatively small but focused workforce. Moline's cost of living index is just below the national average at 97.1, making the local pay structure more appealing when considering take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the highest salaries include commercial HVAC contractors servicing industrial facilities and data centers. Additionally, the pay disparity is driven by specialization, where roles in precision cooling for data centers often command higher salaries compared to residential service technicians. Commission structures at residential service companies can skew earnings significantly, with some technicians pulling in upwards of $80,000, contingent on performance and sales. To maximize pay in Moline, focusing on acquiring brand-specific certifications, staying abreast of emerging refrigerants, and gaining experience in high-demand sectors such as heat pump installation is crucial.
More salary data for Moline, IL:
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 $63,028 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Moline 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 Moline 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