Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Massachusetts: $75,864 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Massachusetts's 59 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $75,864/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Massachusetts sits at BEA RPP 108.5 (9% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $69,921 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Boston ($74,604), Newton ($74,004), Cambridge ($72,822).
In Massachusetts, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect to earn an average median salary of $75,864 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, reflecting a 26.1% premium for the state. Boston offers the highest salaries at $77,454, while Pittsfield has the lowest at $63,024, indicating a salary gap of $14,430. This disparity is primarily influenced by the cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the concentration of industrial and commercial sectors in larger metro areas. The field is subject to state-specific licensing requirements and regulations, which can affect job accessibility and salaries. Massachusetts has established standards that ensure a qualified workforce, with a steady demand driven by the need for efficient heating and cooling systems in residential and commercial settings. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers looks promising. The total employment in this sector is expected to reach 8,727 by 2026, underlining a solid demand for skilled professionals in the state. Potential job seekers should consider regions with higher average salaries such as Newton and Cambridge to maximize earning potential.
Massachusetts Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Massachusetts: $44,340 (lowest entry-level) to $119,088 (highest top earner)
Massachusetts vs National Average
Massachusetts heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 26.07% more than the national median (+$15,690/year difference).
Massachusetts Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Massachusetts range from $49,549 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,799 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,864. The Massachusetts median is $15,690 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $36.47/hr. Approximately 8,727 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 59 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$61,900
2025 BLS Actual
$73,073
2026 Current Est.
$75,864
2019–2027 Growth
+27.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Massachusetts (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,585 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,285 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,338 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,396 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,073 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,864 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,762 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Massachusetts metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 18.0% from $61,900 (2019) to $73,073 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,762 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,862 (27.24%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts
Lowest Paying Cities in Massachusetts
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Pittsfield | $63,024 |
| Andover | $68,718 |
| Leominster | $68,887 |
| Wellesley | $68,949 |
| Chelmsford | $68,988 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Massachusetts
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Massachusetts cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Springfield | $75,481 | 96.061 | $78,576 |
| Barnstable Town | $72,325 | 98.351 | $73,538 |
| Amherst Town | $72,365 | 100.243 | $72,190 |
| Boston | $77,454 | 108.266 | $71,540 |
| Worcester | $72,788 | 102.523 | $70,997 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Massachusetts
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,549 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,864 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,799 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Massachusetts metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 59 Cities in Massachusetts
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boston | $77,454 |
| 2 | Newton | $76,831 |
| 3 | Cambridge | $75,604 |
| 4 | Springfield | $75,481 |
| 5 | Lynn | $74,543 |
| 6 | Somerville | $73,567 |
| 7 | Revere | $73,452 |
| 8 | Brockton | $73,199 |
| 9 | New Bedford | $73,117 |
| 10 | Plymouth | $73,072 |
| 11 | Malden | $72,808 |
| 12 | Haverhill | $72,797 |
| 13 | Worcester | $72,788 |
| 14 | Lowell | $72,778 |
| 15 | Framingham | $72,745 |
| 16 | Peabody | $72,647 |
| 17 | Weymouth | $72,428 |
| 18 | Amherst Town | $72,365 |
| 19 | Barnstable Town | $72,325 |
| 20 | Chicopee | $72,210 |
| 21 | Randolph | $72,131 |
| 22 | Quincy | $72,003 |
| 23 | Amherst | $71,917 |
| 24 | Chelsea | $71,911 |
| 25 | Medford | $71,716 |
| 26 | Fall River | $71,646 |
| 27 | Marlborough | $71,646 |
| 28 | Watertown | $71,636 |
| 29 | Fitchburg | $71,579 |
| 30 | Methuen | $71,552 |
| 31 | Taunton | $71,521 |
| 32 | Arlington | $71,495 |
| 33 | Northampton | $71,406 |
| 34 | Needham | $71,309 |
| 35 | Westfield | $71,275 |
| 36 | Everett | $71,264 |
| 37 | Holyoke | $70,898 |
| 38 | Beverly | $70,779 |
| 39 | Lawrence | $70,778 |
| 40 | Dartmouth | $70,695 |
| 41 | Waltham | $70,624 |
| 42 | Barnstable | $70,549 |
| 43 | Brookline | $70,393 |
| 44 | Billerica | $70,284 |
| 45 | Braintree | $70,047 |
| 46 | Salem | $69,929 |
| 47 | Natick | $69,883 |
| 48 | Dracut | $69,518 |
| 49 | Lexington | $69,472 |
| 50 | Stoughton | $69,472 |
| 51 | Shrewsbury | $69,383 |
| 52 | Franklin | $69,197 |
| 53 | Attleboro | $69,140 |
| 54 | Woburn | $69,051 |
| 55 | Chelmsford | $68,988 |
| 56 | Wellesley | $68,949 |
| 57 | Leominster | $68,887 |
| 58 | Andover | $68,718 |
| 59 | Pittsfield | $63,024 |
More Massachusetts Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Massachusetts 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.
Compare Cities in Massachusetts
View all comparisons →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 Massachusetts in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Massachusetts?
How does Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Massachusetts?
Which Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts. State averages are employment-weighted across 59 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