Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Ferndale, MI: $56,318 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Ferndale, MI earns a median $56,318/year (≈ $27.08/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Ferndale's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $60,427 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ferndale, MI, the median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $56,318 in 2026. This figure reflects a competitive local market where salaries range from $38,069 at the 10th percentile to $81,543 at the 90th percentile. According to estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, this compensation is slightly below the national median of $60,174, indicating potential growth opportunities in areas such as commercial and data center HVAC operations. The job market in Ferndale shows promise, particularly within sectors that demand specialized skills, which can have significant pay implications when comparing commercial versus residential service roles.
About the Ferndale Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,069 | $18.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,691 | $21.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,318 | $27.08 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,712 | $33.04 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,543 | $39.20 |
Median Salary Position
6.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ferndale
In Ferndale, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,474 (2026 est.). At $56,318, the local median is 6.41% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ferndale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ferndale Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Ferndale median: $56,318/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ferndale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $59,345 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -6.41% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Ferndale, MI earn a median of $56,318 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.41% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.10% below the Michigan state average of $59,345.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ferndale has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ferndale, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $56,318 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,427 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,327
2025 BLS Actual
$54,246
2026 Current Est.
$56,318
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ferndale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,327 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,981 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,239 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,693 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,947 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,067 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,318 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,470 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ferndale metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,327 (2019) to $54,246 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,470 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,143 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ferndale 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) | $38,069 – $44,691 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,691 – $56,318 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,318 – $68,712 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,712 – $81,543 |
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 Ferndale
Currently, there are five heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Ferndale, and the local cost-of-living index stands at 93.2. This below-average cost-of-living can enhance the take-home purchasing power for professionals in the field. Salaries in Ferndale are influenced by a variety of factors, such as the specific employer type; for instance, commercial HVAC contractors typically offer higher pay compared to residential service companies, which often have commission structures that can elevate earnings significantly for high-performing technicians. The earnings spread is attributed to specialized skill sets, including those required for data center precision cooling and certification by organizations such as NATE or ACCA. Technicians may consider positioning themselves with skills in trending areas like heat pump installations—boosted by modified IRA tax credits—to maximize their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Ferndale, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Ferndale?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Ferndale?
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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 $54,246 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Ferndale 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 Ferndale 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