Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY: $58,123 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earns a median $58,123/year (≈ $27.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Louisville/Jefferson County's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.1), that paycheck buys what $62,448 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, can expect a median annual salary of $58,123 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $60,174. The salary range in the area varies significantly, from $45,242 at the 10th percentile to $77,660 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflects the market divide between commercial service providers and residential-focused operators, where the latter may pay based on a commission structure that can substantially elevate earnings for top performers. As such, understanding the specific job environments and service niches can greatly affect the earning potential for HVAC professionals in the region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,242 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,559 | $22.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,123 | $27.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,275 | $32.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,660 | $37.34 |
Median Salary Position
3.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Louisville/Jefferson County
In Louisville/Jefferson County, KY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,418 (2026 est.). At $58,123, the local median is 3.41% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Louisville/Jefferson County: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Louisville/Jefferson County Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Louisville/Jefferson County median: $58,123/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Louisville/Jefferson County Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $56,983 | +2.00% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.41% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY earn a median of $58,123 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.41% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% above the Kentucky state average of $56,983.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Louisville/Jefferson County has a cost of living 6.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY has a cost-of-living index of 93.074 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,123 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,448 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.44% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,260
2025 BLS Actual
$55,984
2026 Current Est.
$58,123
2019–2027 Growth
+42.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Louisville/Jefferson County (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,984 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,123 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,343 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisville/Jefferson County metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 32.5% from $42,260 (2019) to $55,984 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,343 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,083 (42.79%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisville/Jefferson County 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) | $45,242 – $47,559 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,559 – $58,123 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,123 – $67,275 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,275 – $77,660 |
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 Louisville/Jefferson County
Turning to the local job market, there are approximately 1,890 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Louisville/Jefferson County. The cost of living index stands at 93.074, which is favorable compared to the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local technicians. Employers that tend to offer higher compensation include commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations, where salaried roles often come with overtime opportunities, unlike residential service companies that frequently depend on commissions for income. This pay disparity is influenced by factors such as specialty training in commercial controls, brand-specific certifications like NATE, and the increasing demand for heat pump installations spurred by new tax incentives. To maximize earnings in this market, focusing on advanced training in high-demand areas like data center cooling technologies and obtaining relevant industry certifications will offer a significant advantage.
More salary data for Louisville/Jefferson County, KY:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Louisville/Jefferson County, KY in 2026?
Is Louisville/Jefferson County, KY 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 Louisville/Jefferson County?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Louisville/Jefferson County?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Louisville/Jefferson County?
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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 $55,984 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Louisville/Jefferson County 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