Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Fitchburg, MA: $71,579 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Fitchburg, MA earns a median $71,579/year (≈ $34.42/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Fitchburg's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $65,971 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $71,579. This amount reflects a significant premium in the local market, with salaries ranging from $47,737 at the 10th percentile to $107,946 at the 90th percentile. The emerging demand for heat pumps, driven by IRA tax credits and a shift towards energy efficiency, is leading employers to seek more skilled technicians and reshape hiring practices. As Fitchburg continues to adapt to changing energy regulations and technologies, the demand for qualified installers is set to increase, potentially impacting salary levels and job opportunities in the region.
About the Fitchburg Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,737 | $22.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,543 | $27.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,579 | $34.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,323 | $42.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $107,946 | $51.90 |
Median Salary Position
18.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fitchburg
In Fitchburg, MA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,209 (2026 est.). At $71,579, the local median is 18.95% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fitchburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fitchburg Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Fitchburg median: $71,579/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fitchburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $72,595 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +18.95% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Fitchburg, MA earn a median of $71,579 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.95% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.40% below the Massachusetts state average of $72,595.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fitchburg has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fitchburg, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,579 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $65,971 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,068
2025 BLS Actual
$68,945
2026 Current Est.
$71,579
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Fitchburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,068 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,955 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,074 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,046 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,945 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,579 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,313 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fitchburg metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,068 (2019) to $68,945 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,313 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,245 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fitchburg 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) | $47,737 – $56,543 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,543 – $71,579 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,579 – $89,323 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,323 – $107,946 |
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 Fitchburg
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Fitchburg comprises around 10 professionals. With a cost of living index of 108.5, the expenses in the area are slightly above the national average, which can influence take-home pay and purchasing power. Top-paying employers may include residential service companies like Carrier dealers, commercial HVAC contractors serving large institutional buildings, or companies specializing in data center HVAC operations. Pay discrepancies among technicians arise from factors such as their specialization—those skilled in precision cooling for data centers often command higher salaries than those focused on residential work. To maximize earnings, technicians should pursue certifications like NATE or those offered by manufacturers such as Carrier and Trane, consider gaining experience in high-demand areas such as heat pump installation, and seek opportunities that provide commission structures, especially within residential service sectors.
More salary data for Fitchburg, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Fitchburg, MA in 2026?
Is Fitchburg, MA a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Fitchburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Fitchburg?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Fitchburg?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $68,945 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Fitchburg 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 Fitchburg 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