Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Waterford, MI: $57,913 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Waterford, MI earns a median $57,913/year (≈ $27.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Waterford's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $62,138 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Waterford, MI, stands at $57,913, which is slightly below the national median of $60,174. Salary figures in this region can vary significantly, with a range from $39,222 for entry-level positions to $89,765 for top earners, reflecting the divide between commercial and residential service roles. The local estimates are based on 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional economic conditions. With a workforce of just 16 professionals in this field, Waterford presents a unique market that highlights the demand for qualified technicians, especially those skilled in handling complex commercial systems and data center climates, where pay typically skews higher.
About the Waterford Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,222 | $18.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,374 | $22.30 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,913 | $27.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,339 | $35.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,765 | $43.16 |
Median Salary Position
3.76% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waterford
In Waterford, MI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,543 (2026 est.). At $57,913, the local median is 3.76% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Waterford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waterford Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Waterford median: $57,913/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waterford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $59,337 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.76% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Waterford, MI earn a median of $57,913 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.76% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.40% below the Michigan state average of $59,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waterford 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.
Waterford, 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 $57,913 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,138 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,554
2025 BLS Actual
$55,782
2026 Current Est.
$57,913
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Waterford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,554 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,255 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,463 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,390 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,570 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,913 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,125 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waterford metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,554 (2019) to $55,782 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,125 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,571 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterford 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) | $39,222 – $46,374 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,374 – $57,913 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,913 – $73,339 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,339 – $89,765 |
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 Waterford
The cost of living in Waterford is relatively favorable, reflected in a cost-of-living index of 93.2, meaning that take-home pay stretches further than in many other parts of the country. Job opportunities can vary by sector, with commercial HVAC contractors generally offering the highest salaries compared to residential service companies or self-employed contractors. Employers that pay well include well-known residential service brands, while industrial clients or large-scale data centers might provide more stable, salaried roles with overtime benefits. Factors that influence the pay spread include the type of work—those specializing in commercial controls or data center precision cooling often earn more than those focused on residential units. Strategies for maximizing income in Waterford include pursuing additional certifications, such as EPA Section 608 or NATE, and engaging in specialized training that aligns with emerging technologies like heat pumps, which are seeing increased demand due to tax credits designed to promote energy-efficient installations.
More salary data for Waterford, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Waterford, MI in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Waterford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Waterford?
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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 $55,782 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Waterford 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 Waterford 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