Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jackson, MI: $60,381 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Jackson, MI earns a median $60,381/year (≈ $29.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Jackson's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $65,790 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Jackson, Michigan, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median annual salary of $60,381 in 2026, reflecting a slight advantage over the national figure of $60,174. This well-rounded compensation comes with a salary range that spans from $43,407 at the lower end (P10) to as much as $96,479 for top earners (P90), derived from official BLS OEWS surveys. Notably, the salary data reveals competitive pricing structures influenced by the residential service sector's commission-based pay system, where techs can significantly increase their earnings through spiffs and sales incentives. In a market like Jackson, a detailed understanding of these dynamics can position professionals for enhanced compensation opportunities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,407 | $20.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,283 | $22.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,381 | $29.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $89,437 | $43.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,479 | $46.39 |
Median Salary Position
0.34% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jackson
In Jackson, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,072 (2026 est.). At $60,381, the local median is 0.34% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jackson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jackson Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Jackson median: $60,381/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jackson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $59,371 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +0.34% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Jackson, MI earn a median of $60,381 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.34% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% above the Michigan state average of $59,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jackson has a cost of living 8.22% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jackson, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.779 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $60,381 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,790 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.96% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,330
2025 BLS Actual
$58,159
2026 Current Est.
$60,381
2019–2027 Growth
+2.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Jackson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,330 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,860 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,200 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,060 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,950 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,381 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jackson metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew -5.2% from $61,330 (2019) to $58,159 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,357 (2.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jackson 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) | $43,407 – $47,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,283 – $60,381 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,381 – $89,437 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $89,437 – $96,479 |
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 Jackson
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Jackson have solid employment prospects, with about 110 local workers currently in the field. The cost-of-living index in the area is 91.779, translating to favorable purchasing power for those earning a competitive salary. Different employers such as residential service providers and commercial HVAC contractors may pay considerably varying rates; for instance, companies specializing in data center operations or large refrigeration projects often offer higher wages compared to standard residential service roles. Factors contributing to the disparity in earnings include the complexity of the work, the demand for specific skills like commercial controls or precision cooling, and the impact of commission structures at residential companies. For those looking to maximize their pay in the Jackson market, acquiring state contractor licenses, certifications like NATE, and specializing in high-demand areas such as heat pump installations can lead to significantly better financial outcomes.
More salary data for Jackson, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jackson?
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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 $58,159 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Jackson 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