Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Waukegan, IL: $74,055 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Waukegan, IL earns a median $74,055/year (≈ $35.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Waukegan's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $76,267 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For those pursuing a career as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Waukegan, IL, the projected median annual salary for 2026 is $74,055, significantly higher than the national average of $60,174 by 23.07%. The salary range reflects the diverse nature and experience levels in the field, spanning from $47,291 at the lower end (P10) to $114,785 for the most experienced professionals (P90). With the compensation structure often influenced by residential service commissions and spiffs, earnings can fluctuate based on sales performance in addition to hourly wages. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs suggest that Waukegan offers a competitive market for HVAC professionals, positioning them well in a dynamic industry.
About the Waukegan Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,291 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,153 | $27.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,055 | $35.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,255 | $44.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,785 | $55.18 |
Median Salary Position
23.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukegan
In Waukegan, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,494 (2026 est.). At $74,055, the local median is 23.07% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukegan: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukegan Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Waukegan median: $74,055/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukegan Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,981 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +23.07% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Waukegan, IL earn a median of $74,055 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.07% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.10% above the Illinois state average of $73,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukegan 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.
Waukegan, 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 $74,055 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,267 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
$56,973
2025 BLS Actual
$71,330
2026 Current Est.
$74,055
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Waukegan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,973 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,147 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,856 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,083 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,992 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,123 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,055 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukegan metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $56,973 (2019) to $71,330 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,911 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukegan 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) | $47,291 – $57,153 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,153 – $74,055 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,055 – $93,255 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,255 – $114,785 |
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 Waukegan
Currently, Waukegan employs 18 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which illustrates a localized job market strength despite a modest cost-of-living index of 97.1. This cost index indicates that overall expenses are below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power with the salaries in this sector. Employers vary from residential service companies—like Carrier dealers and ARS/Rescue Rooter—to commercial HVAC contractors servicing larger facilities such as hospitals and industrial buildings. The variation in pay can be significant due to factors like specialization, including expertise in data center cooling, and whether technicians earn commission from residential sales, which can significantly enhance overall compensation. For those seeking to maximize their heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Waukegan, IL, pursuing state licenses, acquiring additional certifications, and engaging in ongoing training related to heat pump installations and newer refrigerants will be influential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Waukegan, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Waukegan, IL in 2026?
Is Waukegan, 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 Waukegan?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Waukegan?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Waukegan?
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 $71,330 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Waukegan 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 Waukegan 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