Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lawrence, KS: $58,576 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lawrence, KS earns a median $58,576/year (≈ $28.16/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lawrence's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $64,909 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The anticipated median annual salary for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lawrence is projected to be $58,576 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $60,174. Local salaries range from $47,569 at the 10th percentile to $81,438 at the 90th percentile, reflecting a diverse market influenced by emerging trends like the heat pump and IRA tax credit growth. Such incentives are reshaping hiring patterns and increasing demand for skilled technicians in Lawrence, where the job market remains competitive amid a broader national context. With approximately 130 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in the area, the local industry is well-positioned for continued growth and investment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,569 | $22.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,220 | $23.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,576 | $28.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,168 | $30.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,438 | $39.16 |
Median Salary Position
2.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lawrence
In Lawrence, KS, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,869 (2026 est.). At $58,576, the local median is 2.66% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lawrence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lawrence Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lawrence median: $58,576/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lawrence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $51,975 | +12.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.66% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lawrence, KS earn a median of $58,576 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.66% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 12.70% above the Kansas state average of $51,975.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lawrence has a cost of living 9.76% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lawrence, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.243 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,576 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,909 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.81% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,820
2025 BLS Actual
$56,421
2026 Current Est.
$58,576
2019–2027 Growth
+22.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lawrence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,930 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,421 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,576 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,814 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lawrence metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 13.2% from $49,820 (2019) to $56,421 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,814 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,994 (22.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lawrence 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) | $47,569 – $48,220 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,220 – $58,576 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,576 – $64,168 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,168 – $81,438 |
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 Lawrence
In Lawrence, the employment landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers shows a commitment to expanding the workforce to meet rising demands. With a cost-of-living index of 90.243, take-home purchasing power is relatively favorable compared to national averages. However, earnings can vary widely based on the type of employment. Commercial HVAC contractors, data center operations, and refrigeration specialty providers, particularly in supermarkets, tend to offer higher compensation due to the complexity and specialization required in those sectors. Factors driving salary disparities include the level of specialization, such as expertise in commercial controls or data center precision cooling, as well as opportunities for commission-based pay at residential service companies. Technicians can enhance their earning potential by seeking reputable certifications like NATE and engaging with high-demand sectors driven by new technologies, such as heat pumps and energy-efficient systems, to position themselves advantageously in the job market.
More salary data for Lawrence, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $56,421 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lawrence 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