Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Park Ridge, IL: $71,101 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Park Ridge, IL earns a median $71,101/year (≈ $34.19/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Park Ridge's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $73,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.8% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Park Ridge, IL is projected to reach a median of $71,101, distinctly higher than the national median of $60,174. This local figure reflects an increasing demand for skilled technicians, largely driven by recent growth in heat pump installations and incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) tax credits. The salary range spans from $50,290 at the lower percentile to $108,263 at the higher end, indicating a wide spectrum of earning potential based on experience, specialization, and the type of work performed. Park Ridge's job market is evolving, particularly in response to these new technologies and the urgency to upgrade aging HVAC systems.
About the Park Ridge Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,290 | $24.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,287 | $28.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,101 | $34.19 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,475 | $41.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,263 | $52.04 |
Median Salary Position
18.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Park Ridge
In Park Ridge, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,973 (2026 est.). At $71,101, the local median is 18.16% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Park Ridge: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Park Ridge Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Park Ridge median: $71,101/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Park Ridge Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,910 | -3.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +18.16% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Park Ridge, IL earn a median of $71,101 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.16% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.80% below the Illinois state average of $73,910.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Park Ridge 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.
Park Ridge, 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 $71,101 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,700
2025 BLS Actual
$68,485
2026 Current Est.
$71,101
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Park Ridge (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,788 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,588 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,686 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,486 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,485 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,101 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,817 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Park Ridge metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $54,700 (2019) to $68,485 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,817 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,117 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Park Ridge 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) | $50,290 – $58,287 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,287 – $71,101 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,101 – $86,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,475 – $108,263 |
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 Park Ridge
A total of seven heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are currently employed in Park Ridge, an indicator of a specialized but concentrated job market. With a cost-of-living index of 97.1, which is below the national average, the take-home pay can stretch further despite the higher wage averages. Employers in this sector vary, including residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors, with those specializing in precision cooling for data centers typically offering higher salaries due to the technical demands of the work. Variances in pay can arise from factors such as specialty skills, on-call pay, and commission structures at residential firms. To maximize income, technicians in Park Ridge should consider pursuing certifications like NATE or establishing a state contractor license, which can open up more opportunities and higher-paying roles. The current demand for heat pump specialists is expected to further enhance earning potential in the coming years.
More salary data for Park Ridge, IL:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Park Ridge, IL
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Park Ridge, IL
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Park Ridge, IL
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Park Ridge, IL in 2026?
Is Park Ridge, 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 Park Ridge?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Park Ridge?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Park Ridge?
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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 $68,485 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Park Ridge 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 Park Ridge 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