Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN: $61,308 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Indianapolis, IN earns a median $61,308/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Indianapolis's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $64,065 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% above the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Indianapolis presents a robust environment for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, with a median annual salary projected at $61,308 for 2026. This position sees a salary range between $44,916 at the lower end and $97,386 at the upper end, providing substantial earning potential in a growing market. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicate a positive outlook for professionals in this field, particularly considering the increased focus on energy efficiency and the transition to heat pump technologies spurred by recent tax incentives. In comparison to the national median of $60,174, the local salaries reflect a competitive edge, contributing to the overall health of the job market in Indianapolis.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,916 | $21.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,305 | $23.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,308 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,675 | $41.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,386 | $46.82 |
Median Salary Position
1.88% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Indianapolis
In Indianapolis, IN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,470 (2026 est.). At $61,308, the local median is 1.88% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Indianapolis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Indianapolis Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Indianapolis median: $61,308/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Indianapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $59,349 | +3.30% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +1.88% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $61,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.30% above the Indiana state average of $59,349.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Indianapolis has a cost of living 4.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Indianapolis, IN has a cost-of-living index of 95.696 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,308 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,065 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,610
2025 BLS Actual
$59,052
2026 Current Est.
$61,308
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,610 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,440 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,052 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,308 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,650 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 8.1% from $54,610 (2019) to $59,052 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,650 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,040 (16.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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) | $44,916 – $49,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,305 – $61,308 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,308 – $86,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,675 – $97,386 |
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 Indianapolis
Within the Indianapolis metropolitan area, there are approximately 3,080 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers actively employed, revealing a strong demand for skilled workers. The cost of living index in the city, currently at 95.696, suggests that these salaries offer a decent level of purchasing power, especially when factoring in the lower living expenses compared to national averages. Employers such as notable residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and refrigeration specialists are leading the way in compensation. The disparity in pay often results from specialization in areas such as data center HVAC, the impacts of commission-based structures in residential services, and factors like on-call rotations and additional state certifications. To optimize earnings, focus on obtaining certifications such as NATE and taking advantage of opportunities in commercial systems and specialized sectors, thereby positioning yourself favorably in the Indianapolis market.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Indianapolis, IN
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Indianapolis, IN in 2026?
Is Indianapolis, 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 Indianapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Indianapolis?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Indianapolis?
Related Pages
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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 $59,052 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Indianapolis 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