Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Augusta, ME: $53,689 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Augusta, ME earns a median $53,689/year (≈ $25.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Augusta's price level (0% above national, BEA RPP 99.6), that paycheck buys what $53,905 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.7% below the Maine state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Augusta, ME, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach a median of $53,689 in 2026, reflecting a notable divergence from the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this role allows for significant variation, with entry-level mechanics earning as low as $38,610, while experienced professionals can command up to $80,426. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic conditions and cost-of-living differences. The city's job market tends to cater more towards residential services, but those who work in commercial settings or specialized data center operations generally report higher earnings due to the complexity and technical demands intrinsic to those roles.
About the Augusta Market
Salary estimated from Maine average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,610 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,291 | $21.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,689 | $25.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,009 | $32.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,426 | $38.66 |
Median Salary Position
10.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Augusta
In Augusta, ME, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,816 (2026 est.). At $53,689, the local median is 10.78% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Augusta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Augusta Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Augusta median: $53,689/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Augusta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Maine Average | $56,935 | -5.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -10.78% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Augusta, ME earn a median of $53,689 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.78% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.70% below the Maine state average of $56,935.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Augusta has a cost of living 0.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Augusta, ME has a cost-of-living index of 99.6 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $53,689 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,905 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.4% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,305
2025 BLS Actual
$51,714
2026 Current Est.
$53,689
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Augusta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,305 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,882 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,220 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,560 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,569 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,474 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,714 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,689 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,740 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Augusta metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $41,305 (2019) to $51,714 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,740 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,435 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Augusta 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) | $38,610 – $44,291 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,291 – $53,689 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,689 – $67,009 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,009 – $80,426 |
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 Augusta
With only four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Augusta, competition for jobs may be limited and specialized skills are increasingly vital for job security and higher wages. The local cost-of-living index is at 99.6, which is slightly below the national average, influencing the purchasing power of these salaries. Employers that typically offer competitive pay include large data center HVAC operations and commercial HVAC contractors that service industrial buildings and institutions. Pay disparities arise due to factors such as specialization in precision cooling and commercial controls, as well as commission structures prevalent in residential service work. To maximize earnings in this Augusta market, technicians should consider pursuing brand-specific certifications, specializing in high-demand areas such as heat pump installation, and participating actively in continuing education programs related to emerging refrigerants and technologies.
More salary data for Augusta, ME:
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 $51,714 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Augusta 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 Augusta 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