Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Florence, KY: $56,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Florence, KY earns a median $56,460/year (≈ $27.15/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Florence's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $63,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Florence, Kentucky, the landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers showcases a median annual salary of $56,460, which trails the national average of $60,174 by about 6.17%. Local professionals can expect earnings within a range that stretches from $38,102 at the lower tenth percentile to $83,815 at the upper ninetieth. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and reflecting regional cost adjustments, highlight how the salary structure is influenced by the type of work performed. Mechanics and installers working in commercial settings, such as data centers, typically command higher wages due to the specialized expertise required, while those in residential service may see a broader variance in pay driven by different commission structures.
About the Florence Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,102 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,931 | $21.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,460 | $27.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,474 | $33.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,815 | $40.29 |
Median Salary Position
6.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Florence
In Florence, KY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,713 (2026 est.). At $56,460, the local median is 6.17% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Florence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Florence Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Florence median: $56,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Florence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $56,973 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -6.17% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Florence, KY earn a median of $56,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.17% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.90% below the Kentucky state average of $56,973.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Florence has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Florence, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $56,460 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,437
2025 BLS Actual
$54,383
2026 Current Est.
$56,460
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Florence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,095 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,348 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,808 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,076 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,244 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,383 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,617 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Florence metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,437 (2019) to $54,383 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,617 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,180 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Florence 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) | $38,102 – $44,931 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,931 – $56,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,460 – $69,474 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,474 – $83,815 |
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 Florence
Currently, Florence employs around seven workers in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer category, pointing towards a niche but steady job market. With a cost-of-living index of 89.3, living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the overall purchasing power of salaries here. Employers likely to offer higher pay include commercial HVAC contractors or larger-scale operations like data center teams, which value technical skill and precision. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as commissions at residential companies, on-call premiums, specialized certifications like NATE, and licensure requirements for business ownership. Those looking to maximize their pay in the Florence market might consider focusing on commercial HVAC work or pursuing advanced certifications that can lead to roles with premium salaries, especially as demand grows for heat pump installations benefiting from recent tax credits.
More salary data for Florence, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Florence, KY in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Florence?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Florence?
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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 $54,383 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Florence 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 Florence 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