Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $59,365 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $59,365/year (≈ $28.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $62,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Grand Rapids, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach $59,365 in 2026, slightly below the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this occupation spans from $43,111 at the 10th percentile to $93,294 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This variation in pay highlights the distinctions between commercial and residential service sectors, where commercial roles often offer more stable and higher salaries compared to the commission-driven nature of residential work. The local job market comprises around 1,920 professionals in this field, indicating a solid demand for skilled workers amidst evolving industry standards.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,111 | $20.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,308 | $23.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,365 | $28.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,142 | $36.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,294 | $44.86 |
Median Salary Position
1.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,183 (2026 est.). At $59,365, the local median is 1.34% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Grand Rapids Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $59,365/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $60,174 | -1.34% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $59,365 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.34% lower than the national median of $60,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $59,365 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,132 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,390
2025 BLS Actual
$57,181
2026 Current Est.
$59,365
2019–2027 Growth
+9.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,180 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,181 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,365 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,633 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 1.4% from $56,390 (2019) to $57,181 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,633 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,243 (9.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $43,111 – $48,308 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,308 – $59,365 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,365 – $76,142 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,142 – $93,294 |
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 Grand Rapids
The cost of living index in Grand Rapids sits at 95.546, signaling a relatively affordable environment for residents compared to the national average. This benefits the overall purchasing power for those earning wages in this trade. Employers that tend to pay higher salaries include commercial HVAC contractors serving industrial and health facilities, as well as large data center operations. Factors contributing to salary disparities include specialization in areas like precision cooling and commercial HVAC controls, which generally command higher pay than traditional residential service roles. Furthermore, commission structures at residential service companies can lead to substantial earnings, especially for those who excel under performance pressure. For mechanics aiming to maximize their income, pursuing advanced certifications, securing state contractor licenses, and engaging in specialties such as heat pump installations can significantly enhance both skills and marketability.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Grand Rapids, MI
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Grand Rapids, MI
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Grand Rapids, MI in 2026?
Is Grand Rapids, MI 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 Grand Rapids?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Grand Rapids?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Grand Rapids?
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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 $57,181 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Grand Rapids 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