Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bay City, MI: $59,346 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bay City, MI earns a median $59,346/year (≈ $28.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bay City's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $64,562 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Bay City, MI is projected to land at a median of $59,346, which is slightly below the national average of $60,174. The salary range in this region is quite broad, from $35,546 at the 10th percentile to $80,215 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational employment statistics, reflects a growing demand for skilled technicians amidst the rise of heat pump installations and the accompanying IRA tax credit incentives. Employers in Bay City are focusing on hiring to align with these market needs, offering competitive salaries that reflect both the local demand and the necessary certifications such as EPA Section 608 and NATE.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,546 | $17.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,580 | $21.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,346 | $28.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,814 | $33.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,215 | $38.57 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bay City
In Bay City, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,669 (2026 est.). At $59,346, the local median is 1.38% below the national median of $60,174.
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How Bay City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bay City median: $59,346/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bay City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $60,174 | -1.38% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bay City, MI earn a median of $59,346 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% lower than the national median of $60,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bay City has a cost of living 8.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bay City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.921 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $59,346 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,562 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,170
2025 BLS Actual
$57,162
2026 Current Est.
$59,346
2019–2027 Growth
+46.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bay City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,170 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,346 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,613 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bay City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 35.6% from $42,170 (2019) to $57,162 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,613 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,443 (46.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bay City 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) | $35,546 – $44,580 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,580 – $59,346 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,346 – $68,814 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,814 – $80,215 |
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 Bay City
The Bay City job market currently employs around 70 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which indicates a stable workforce concentrated in a growing field. The cost of living index for Bay City stands at 91.921, illustrating a lower-than-average living cost that enhances take-home purchasing power for technicians. Among local employers, residential service companies, especially those engaged in high-volume heating and cooling projects, tend to offer higher pay. Variability in salaries can often be attributed to factors such as specialty skills in data center cooling, commission structures at service companies, and the demand for heat pump installations. Maximizing earnings in this market can involve pursuing advanced training, obtaining brand-specific certifications, and being open to on-call rotations, which provide a premium on compensation. This strategic approach can position technicians favorably in both residential and commercial settings, allowing for significant income potential.
More salary data for Bay City, MI:
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 $57,162 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bay City 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
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