Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Normal, IL: $71,694 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Normal, IL earns a median $71,694/year (≈ $34.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Normal's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $73,835 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.0% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Normal, IL, are projected to earn a median salary of $71,694, which notably surpasses the national median of $60,174 by 19.14%. Salary estimates indicate a range from $45,729 at the lower end (P10) to $110,833 at the high end (P90), reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost of living, emphasize the importance of sales and commission structures in residential service roles where technicians can significantly increase their earnings based on performance. In a market like Normal, where job competition is moderate, the lucrative potential in HVAC lies not only in hourly wages but also in the effectiveness of individual salesmanship within the residential segment.
About the Normal Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,729 | $21.99 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $55,290 | $26.58 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,694 | $34.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $90,240 | $43.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $110,833 | $53.28 |
Median Salary Position
19.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Normal
In Normal, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,104 (2026 est.). At $71,694, the local median is 19.14% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Normal: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Normal Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Normal median: $71,694/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Normal Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,911 | -3.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +19.14% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Normal, IL earn a median of $71,694 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.14% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.00% below the Illinois state average of $73,911.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Normal 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.
Normal, 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 $71,694 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,835 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,157
2025 BLS Actual
$69,056
2026 Current Est.
$71,694
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Normal (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,157 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,262 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,043 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,167 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,857 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,016 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,056 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,694 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Normal metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,157 (2019) to $69,056 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,276 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Normal 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) | $45,729 – $55,290 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $55,290 – $71,694 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,694 – $90,240 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $90,240 – $110,833 |
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 Normal
Exploring the local job landscape further reveals that Normal currently employs just eight HVAC mechanics and installers, highlighting a tight-knit community that relies on specialized skills. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, the purchasing power in Normal is slightly below the national average, making the competitive salaries feel even more impactful for local employees. Among the employers in the area, residential service companies such as Carrier dealers or large franchises like ARS/Rescue Rooter tend to offer the best pay, especially for those who excel in a commission-driven environment. Conversely, lower salaries typically reflect roles that do not involve specialized certifications such as NATE or a state contractor license. To maximize income potential, technicians should consider diversifying their skills to include high-demand services such as heat pump installation, increasingly important due to recent IRA tax credits, while also evaluating opportunities in both commercial and residential sectors to leverage differences in pay structures.
More salary data for Normal, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Normal, IL in 2026?
Is Normal, 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 Normal?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Normal?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Normal?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Illinois
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 $69,056 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Normal 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 Normal 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