Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Arlington, MA: $71,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Arlington, MA earns a median $71,495/year (≈ $34.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Arlington's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $65,894 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Arlington, MA, can anticipate a median annual salary of $71,495 in 2026, significantly outperforming the national median of $60,174 by approximately 18.81%. Salaries within this field vary widely, with the lowest 10% earning around $47,540 and the highest 90% reaching up to $105,300. These figures are derived from state-level data and regional price parities, reflecting Arlington's unique job market dynamics. A notable distinction in compensation arises between commercial and residential service roles, where mechanics working on complex data center HVAC systems or large industrial projects may command higher wages compared to those focused primarily on residential service and maintenance. Such structural divides in the job market not only influence pay but also the skill sets and certifications required for optimal employment opportunities in Arlington.
About the Arlington Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,540 | $22.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,372 | $27.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,495 | $34.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,008 | $42.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,300 | $50.62 |
Median Salary Position
18.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Arlington
In Arlington, MA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,760 (2026 est.). At $71,495, the local median is 18.81% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Arlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Arlington Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Arlington median: $71,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Arlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $72,583 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +18.81% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Arlington, MA earn a median of $71,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.81% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.50% below the Massachusetts state average of $72,583.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Arlington has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Arlington, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,495 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,894 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,003
2025 BLS Actual
$68,864
2026 Current Est.
$71,495
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Arlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,003 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,103 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,006 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,676 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,955 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,864 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,226 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arlington metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,003 (2019) to $68,864 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,226 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,223 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arlington 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) | $47,540 – $56,372 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,372 – $71,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,495 – $89,008 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,008 – $105,300 |
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 Arlington
The local job market in Arlington currently employs nine professionals in this sector, highlighting a niche yet essential demand for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, employees navigating this environment must consider how their take-home pay aligns with residential expenses. Among local employers, commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations typically offer the highest wages, especially for technicians trained in specialized areas such as precision cooling and commercial controls. The disparity between the lowest and highest salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the demand for advanced certifications like NATE or brand-specific training, the commission-based structure in residential service companies, and the growing emphasis on heat pump installations linked to recent tax incentives. Maximizing earnings in Arlington may involve seeking additional certifications, pursuing work in commercial sectors, or leveraging opportunities in high-demand areas such as heat pump installation and maintenance.
More salary data for Arlington, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Arlington, MA in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Arlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Arlington?
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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 $68,864 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Arlington 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 Arlington 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