Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Portage, MI: $58,920 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Portage, MI earns a median $58,920/year (≈ $28.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Portage's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $63,219 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the increasing emphasis on energy-efficient solutions like heat pumps, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Portage is projected to see notable growth. For 2026, the median salary is estimated to be $58,920, reflecting a competitive climate when compared to the national figure of $60,174. The local salaries vary significantly, ranging from $40,096 at the lower end (P10) to as high as $89,798 for those reaching the top percentile (P90). These figures are based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 with adjustments for regional cost factors, painting a positive picture for job prospects as the market adapts to the rising demand driven by the IRA tax credit for heat pump installations.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,096 | $19.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,135 | $22.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,920 | $28.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,099 | $35.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,798 | $43.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,702 (2026 est.). At $58,920, the local median is 2.08% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Portage median: $58,920/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $59,335 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.08% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Portage, MI earn a median of $58,920 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.70% below the Michigan state average of $59,335.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage 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.
Portage, 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 $58,920 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,219 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,329
2025 BLS Actual
$56,752
2026 Current Est.
$58,920
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,329 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,059 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,236 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,803 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,301 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,886 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,752 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,920 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,171 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $45,329 (2019) to $56,752 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,171 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,842 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $40,096 – $47,135 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,135 – $58,920 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,920 – $74,099 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,099 – $89,798 |
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 Portage
In Portage, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is supported by a small but stable workforce of seven professionals currently employed in the field. The cost-of-living index stands at 93.2, indicating that the local economy is slightly below the national average, which potentially enhances purchasing power for those in the industry. Among the various employers, residential service companies, particularly those installing heat pumps, appear to offer the highest compensation, often enriched by commission structures. The income disparity results from factors such as specialization in areas like commercial controls or precision cooling for data centers, along with variations in overtime availability and brand-related certifications. Aspirants looking to enhance their earnings should focus on obtaining relevant certifications, venturing into specialized domains, and taking advantage of the current growth in heat pump installations—strategies that can significantly elevate their pay in the Portage MI market.
More salary data for Portage, 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 $56,752 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Portage 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 Portage 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