Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Louisiana: $58,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $58,371/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,641 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Metairie ($60,545), New Orleans ($60,325), Baton Rouge ($59,793).
In Louisiana, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is projected to be $58,372, which is approximately 3.0% lower than the national median of $60,174. This salary range varies significantly across the state, with the highest paying city being Metairie at $62,858 and the lowest, Alexandria, at $46,682. The disparity in pay across cities can be attributed to local demand for skilled workers, the cost of living, and the prevalence of employers offering competitive salaries in metropolitan areas. Louisiana requires mechanics and installers to be licensed, which includes obtaining a valid HVACR license. This necessity aims to ensure safety and competency within the industry. The expected growth rate for this occupation stands at 3.82%, indicating a positive trend in job opportunities. With a total of 4,819 employed in this field, demand is likely driven by climate needs, ongoing construction projects, and maintenance of aging systems, particularly in urban centers like New Orleans and Baton Rouge, where salaries reflect higher living expenses and demand for expertise. Overall, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Louisiana presents a viable career path with steady growth prospects.
Louisiana Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $32,982 (lowest entry-level) to $97,430 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 3% less than the national median ($-1,803/year difference).
Louisiana Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Louisiana range from $36,657 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,926 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,371. The Louisiana median is $1,803 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $28.06/hr. Approximately 4,819 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,547
2025 BLS Actual
$56,224
2026 Current Est.
$58,371
2019–2027 Growth
+36.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,547 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,234 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,737 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,376 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,186 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,381 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,224 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,601 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 26.2% from $44,547 (2019) to $56,224 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,601 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,054 (36.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Alexandria | $46,682 |
| Lake Charles | $46,711 |
| Lafayette | $51,258 |
| Sulphur | $52,255 |
| Zachary | $52,557 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Metairie | $62,858 | 90.3 | $69,610 |
| Baton Rouge | $62,077 | 90.78 | $68,382 |
| Shreveport | $57,816 | 84.766 | $68,207 |
| Houma | $57,669 | 85.103 | $67,764 |
| New Orleans | $62,629 | 92.597 | $67,636 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,657 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,371 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,926 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metairie | $62,858 |
| 2 | New Orleans | $62,629 |
| 3 | Baton Rouge | $62,077 |
| 4 | Shreveport | $57,816 |
| 5 | Houma | $57,669 |
| 6 | Bossier City | $56,899 |
| 7 | Slidell | $56,534 |
| 8 | Monroe | $56,485 |
| 9 | Thibodaux | $56,458 |
| 10 | Hammond | $56,357 |
| 11 | Kenner | $55,365 |
| 12 | Ruston | $54,341 |
| 13 | Central | $54,286 |
| 14 | New Iberia | $53,533 |
| 15 | Natchitoches | $52,807 |
| 16 | Zachary | $52,557 |
| 17 | Sulphur | $52,255 |
| 18 | Lafayette | $51,258 |
| 19 | Lake Charles | $46,711 |
| 20 | Alexandria | $46,682 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Louisiana 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 Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana 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 Louisiana?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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