Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Kansas: $58,476 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $58,476/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,330 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Topeka ($61,256), Kansas City ($59,925), Wichita ($56,544).
The projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas in 2026 is $58,476, which is 2.8% lower than the national median of $60,174. The highest paying city is Topeka at $63,596, while Emporia offers the lowest at $47,972. This $15,624 salary gap can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the local job market. For instance, larger cities like Topeka and Kansas City, where demand is higher, offer more competitive wages compared to smaller cities. Kansas has specific licensing requirements that mechanics must meet, including passing a state exam and obtaining any necessary local permits. There is a steady demand for skilled HVAC professionals, driven by the state’s climate variations and the need for energy-efficient systems. Overall, the job market for this occupation is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%. With a total of 1,571 professionals employed in this field, opportunities are expected to remain stable, especially in metropolitan areas like Topeka and Kansas City, where the highest salaries are found.
Kansas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $32,596 (lowest entry-level) to $96,432 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 2.82% less than the national median ($-1,698/year difference).
Kansas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Kansas range from $43,075 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $82,410 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,476. The Kansas median is $1,698 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $28.12/hr. Approximately 1,571 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,279
2025 BLS Actual
$56,324
2026 Current Est.
$58,476
2019–2027 Growth
+11.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,279 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,737 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,272 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,531 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,380 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,289 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,324 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,476 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,710 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 3.8% from $54,279 (2019) to $56,324 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,710 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,431 (11.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $47,972 |
| Gardner | $48,187 |
| Liberal | $48,464 |
| Hays | $48,652 |
| Prairie Village | $48,796 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $63,596 | 88.82 | $71,601 |
| Kansas City | $62,214 | 90.9 | $68,442 |
| Wichita | $58,704 | 88.946 | $66,000 |
| Lawrence | $58,576 | 90.243 | $64,909 |
| Manhattan | $57,205 | 90.162 | $63,447 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,075 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,476 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $82,410 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Topeka | $63,596 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $62,214 |
| 3 | Wichita | $58,704 |
| 4 | Lawrence | $58,576 |
| 5 | Manhattan | $57,205 |
| 6 | Overland Park | $52,812 |
| 7 | Olathe | $52,140 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $52,014 |
| 9 | Garden City | $51,498 |
| 10 | Derby | $51,240 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $50,833 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $50,818 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $50,655 |
| 14 | Salina | $50,281 |
| 15 | Leawood | $50,003 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $49,160 |
| 17 | Junction City | $49,003 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $48,796 |
| 19 | Hays | $48,652 |
| 20 | Liberal | $48,464 |
| 21 | Gardner | $48,187 |
| 22 | Emporia | $47,972 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Kansas cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kansas?
How does Kansas heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Kansas?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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