Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Kentwood, MI: $58,314 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Kentwood, MI earns a median $58,314/year (≈ $28.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Kentwood's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $62,569 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

As of 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Kentwood, MI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $58,314, just slightly below the national median of $60,174. Local salaries range from $39,172 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $90,344 at the upper end (90th percentile), indicating a notable disparity based on experience, specialization, and type of employment. The differences in pay can be prominently observed between those working in residential services compared to those in commercial settings, such as data centers where the demand for precise cooling solutions drives compensation higher. These salary estimates are derived from BLS state-level data alongside regional cost adjustments, reflecting Kentwood's economic landscape and its implications for HVAC professionals.
About the Kentwood Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,172 | $18.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,454 | $22.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,314 | $28.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,696 | $35.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,344 | $43.44 |
Median Salary Position
3.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kentwood
In Kentwood, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,172 (2026 est.). At $58,314, the local median is 3.09% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kentwood Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Kentwood median: $58,314/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $59,322 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.09% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Kentwood, MI earn a median of $58,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.09% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% below the Michigan state average of $59,322.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kentwood 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.
Kentwood, 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 $58,314 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,569 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,863
2025 BLS Actual
$56,168
2026 Current Est.
$58,314
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,863 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,575 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,771 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,311 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,752 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,168 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,314 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentwood metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,863 (2019) to $56,168 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,678 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentwood 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) | $39,172 – $46,454 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,454 – $58,314 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,314 – $73,696 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,696 – $90,344 |
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 Kentwood
Currently, there are only seven heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Kentwood, highlighting a niche job market in this area. The cost of living index stands at 93.2, which is slightly below the national average, suggesting that while salaries may be competitive, they do not significantly exceed living costs. Kentwood’s employers range from major residential service companies, like Carrier and Trane dealers, to commercial HVAC contractors servicing industrial facilities and hospitals. Factors influencing the variation in compensation include sales commissions from residential work, premiums for on-call hours, and certifications such as NATE and state licensing that may command higher wages. To maximize earnings in this particular market, technicians should consider pursuing specializations in emerging technologies, such as heat pumps, capitalizing on available tax credits, while also seeking positions in areas where pay structures reward expertise and experience. Understanding the local landscape and actively pursuing professional growth can substantially impact earning potential for HVAC professionals in Kentwood.
More salary data for Kentwood, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Kentwood, MI in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Kentwood?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Kentwood?
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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 $56,168 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Kentwood 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 Kentwood 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