Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Evansville, IN: $58,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Evansville, IN earns a median $58,684/year (≈ $28.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Evansville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $64,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Evansville, Indiana, is estimated to be $58,684 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $60,174, reflecting a unique local market influenced by recent trends, such as the growth of heat pump installations supported by IRA tax credits. Local wages range from $37,144 at the lower end to $95,444 at the upper end, highlighting a diverse salary landscape based on experience, specialization, and hiring organizations. These insights are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, which point to evolving employment opportunities in Evansville as demand grows for energy-efficient solutions that leverage new technologies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,144 | $17.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,198 | $22.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,684 | $28.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,158 | $37.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,444 | $45.88 |
Median Salary Position
2.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Evansville
In Evansville, IN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,300 (2026 est.). At $58,684, the local median is 2.48% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Evansville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Evansville Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Evansville median: $58,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Evansville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $59,397 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.48% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Evansville, IN earn a median of $58,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.48% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.20% below the Indiana state average of $59,397.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Evansville has a cost of living 8.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Evansville, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.528 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,684 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,116 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,730
2025 BLS Actual
$56,525
2026 Current Est.
$58,684
2019–2027 Growth
+27.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Evansville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,730 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,050 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,460 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,525 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,926 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Evansville metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 18.4% from $47,730 (2019) to $56,525 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,926 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,196 (27.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Evansville 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) | $37,144 – $46,198 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,198 – $58,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,684 – $77,158 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,158 – $95,444 |
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 Evansville
In Evansville, 490 individuals are currently employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, creating a solid job market for technicians. The cost of living index sits at 91.528, which indicates that living expenses are relatively lower compared to the national average, providing an advantage to take-home pay. Employers such as commercial HVAC contractors, residential service companies, and multi-location franchises play a key role in salary variation, with some positions offering premium pay for in-demand specialties. The discrepancy in earnings can be attributed to numerous factors, including the complexity of tasks, commission structures at residential service firms, and the need for specialized certifications like NATE or state contractor licenses. For those looking to maximize their income in this market, pursuing ongoing education in emerging technologies and gaining versatile experience in both residential and commercial sectors will enhance earning potential significantly.
More salary data for Evansville, IN:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Evansville, IN
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Evansville, IN
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Evansville, IN
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Evansville, IN in 2026?
Is Evansville, IN 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 Evansville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Evansville?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Evansville?
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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 $56,525 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Evansville 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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