Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Marion, IN: $57,384 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Marion, IN earns a median $57,384/year (≈ $27.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Marion's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $62,852 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Marion is projected to reach a median of $57,384 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position compared to the national median of $60,174. Technicians in this field can expect to see a salary range between $41,012 at the lower end to as much as $84,233 at the higher end, depending on their expertise and the nature of their employer. Data centers and larger commercial contractors typically offer higher wages that can exceed those found in residential service work, making them an attractive option for skilled technicians. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data highlight the importance of understanding the market dynamics that influence pay in Marion, with specialized skills being key to advancing within this trade.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,012 | $19.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,400 | $22.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,384 | $27.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,162 | $33.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,233 | $40.50 |
Median Salary Position
4.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,221 (2026 est.). At $57,384, the local median is 4.64% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Marion median: $57,384/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $59,404 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.64% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Marion, IN earn a median of $57,384 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.64% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $59,404.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marion, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,384 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,852 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,148
2025 BLS Actual
$55,273
2026 Current Est.
$57,384
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,148 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,833 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,057 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,558 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,912 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,273 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,384 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,577 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,148 (2019) to $55,273 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,577 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,429 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $41,012 – $47,400 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,400 – $57,384 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,384 – $70,162 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,162 – $84,233 |
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 Marion
Currently, there are just five heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Marion, painting a picture of a niche job market characterized by its relatively low employment level. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, the purchasing power in Marion gives technicians a slight edge when factoring in local expenses. Employers like commercial HVAC contractors and larger data center operations are among the top payers in the area, while residential service companies may offer variable pay structures based on commission. Factors such as specialization in data center cooling and brand-specific certifications, like NATE or Carrier Distinguished Dealer status, tend to drive salary ranges. To maximize earnings potential, technicians should focus on obtaining relevant certifications and consider roles in booming sectors like heat pump installations, where demand is heightened by IRA tax credits, thus shaping the earnings landscape for this skilled trade.
More salary data for Marion, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Marion, IN in 2026?
Is Marion, 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 Marion?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Marion?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Marion?
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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 $55,273 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Marion 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 Marion 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