Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Maine: $62,995 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Maine's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $62,995/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Maine sits at BEA RPP 99.6 (0% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,248 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lewiston ($63,821), Auburn ($63,803), Portland ($60,886).
In Maine, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $62,995. This figure is slightly higher than the national median of $60,174, reflecting a 4.7% increase over the national average. Salary variations exist across different cities, with Lewiston leading at $66,259, while Brunswick offers the lowest salary at $52,688, resulting in a gap of $13,571. This variation may stem from factors such as local demand for skilled labor, cost of living, and job availability in each area. The state’s licensing requirements mandate that professionals obtain adequate training and certification, influencing entry into the profession. The growing demand for HVAC services, driven by rising energy efficiency standards and increased housing development, supports a projected annual growth rate of 3.82% in employment opportunities. With approximately 1,325 individuals employed in this field, cities like Auburn and Portland also show promising salaries of $66,240 and $63,212, respectively. Overall, the Maine job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers appears favorable, with a strong outlook driven by persistent demand for skilled technicians across the state.
Maine Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Maine: $36,135 (lowest entry-level) to $96,385 (highest top earner)
Maine vs National Average
Maine heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 4.69% more than the national median (+$2,821/year difference).
Maine Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Maine range from $49,671 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $80,499 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,995. The Maine median is $2,821 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $30.28/hr. Approximately 1,325 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,946
2025 BLS Actual
$60,677
2026 Current Est.
$62,995
2019–2027 Growth
+28.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Maine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,946 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,405 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,102 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,463 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,427 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,677 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,995 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,402 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Maine metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.1% from $50,946 (2019) to $60,677 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,402 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,456 (28.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Maine 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 Maine
Lowest Paying Cities in Maine
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Brunswick | $52,688 |
| Sanford | $53,189 |
| Augusta | $53,689 |
| Biddeford | $53,870 |
| Scarborough | $54,324 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Maine
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Maine cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | $66,259 | 94.736 | $69,941 |
| Auburn | $66,240 | 99.6 | $66,506 |
| South Portland | $62,941 | 99.6 | $63,194 |
| Bangor | $60,588 | 96.508 | $62,780 |
| Portland | $63,212 | 101.858 | $62,059 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Maine
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,671 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,995 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $80,499 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Maine metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Maine
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewiston | $66,259 |
| 2 | Auburn | $66,240 |
| 3 | Portland | $63,212 |
| 4 | South Portland | $62,941 |
| 5 | Bangor | $60,588 |
| 6 | Scarborough | $54,324 |
| 7 | Biddeford | $53,870 |
| 8 | Augusta | $53,689 |
| 9 | Sanford | $53,189 |
| 10 | Brunswick | $52,688 |
More Maine Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Maine 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 Maine in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Maine?
How does Maine 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 Maine?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Maine?
Which Maine 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 Maine. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 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