HVAC Tech Salary

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Faribault, MN: $71,432 (2026)

Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Faribault, MN earns a median $71,432/year (≈ $34.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Faribault's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $72,520 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Minnesota state average.

$71,432
Median Annual Salary
$34.34/hr
Median Hourly Rate
$47,721
Entry Level (P10)
$107,069
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Faribault, MN — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Faribault, MN heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Faribault, Minnesota, is $71,432, reflecting a notable increase compared to national standards, which sit at $60,174. The local salary range spans from $47,721 at the 10th percentile to $107,069 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the income potential within this trade. These figures emerge from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional pricing, illustrating how competition and demand vary between commercial entities, like data centers, and residential service providers. The job market in Faribault benefits from a blend of both sectors, influencing the earning capacity of technicians based on their specialization and experience.

About the Faribault Market

Salary estimated from Minnesota average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Salary Breakdown

PercentileAnnualHourly
Entry Level (P10)$47,721$22.94
Lower Range (P25)$56,275$27.06
Median (P50)(typical)$71,432$34.34
Upper Range (P75)$89,407$42.98
Top Earners (P90)$107,069$51.47

Median Salary Position

$47,721$107,069
City Median: $71,432
National: $60,174
P10–P90 Range

18.71% above the national average

2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Faribault

Vertical bar chart of 10th through 90th percentile salaries for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers in Faribault. The median salary is $71,432, compared to the national median of $60,174.$42.9K$60.3K$77.7K$95.1K$112.4K$47.7K10th Pctl$56.3K25th Pctl$71.4KMedian$89.4K75th Pctl$107.1K90th PctlUS Median$60.2K

In Faribault, MN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,348 (2026 est.). At $71,432, the local median is 18.71% above the national median of $60,174.

Source: BLS OEWS projected to 2026. Percentiles reflect the distribution of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in the Faribault metro area.

Salary Calculator

8 hrs (1 day)24 hrs (3 days)40 hrs (full-time)
$1,374
per week
$5,953
per month
$71,435
per year

At 40 hours/week in Faribault: You'd be in the lower-middle range

How Faribault Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares

Faribault median: $71,432/year (2026)

Compared ToMedian SalaryFaribault Pays
Minnesota Average$75,590-5.50% less
National Average$60,174+18.71% more
Horizontal bar chart comparing heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer median salary in Faribault ($71,432) with Minnesota average ($75,590) and the US national median ($60,174).Faribault$71,432Minnesota Avg$75,590-5.50%US National$60,174+18.71%

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Faribault, MN earn a median of $71,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.71% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.50% below the Minnesota state average of $75,590.

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary

$71,432
Nominal Salary
98.5
CoL Index
$72,520
Adjusted Salary

Faribault has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.

Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.

The nominal salary is $71,432. After adjusting for a cost-of-living index of 98.5, the purchasing-power equivalent is $72,520, a gain of $1,088.$51.1K$59.2K$67.3K$75.3K$83.4K$71,432NominalSalary$72,520CoL Adjusted(CoL: 98.5) 1.52%US Median $60.2K

Faribault, MN has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $71,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $72,520 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.

Compare Purchasing Power

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2019 BLS Actual

$54,955

2025 BLS Actual

$68,804

2026 Current Est.

$71,432

2019–2027 Growth

+34.9%

Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Faribault (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Salary trajectory chart for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Faribault. Baseline $54,955 in 2025, projected to $74,161 by 2027.$51.0K$57.7K$64.5K$71.3K$78.0K2019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$55.0K$57.1K$54.8K$58.0K$64.6K$61.4K$68.8K$71.4K$74.2K
YearAnnual SalaryStatus
2019$54,955Actual
2020$57,053Actual
2021$54,842Actual
2022$57,955Actual
2023$64,620Actual
2024$61,410Actual
2025$68,804Actual
2026(current)$71,432Estimated
2027$74,161Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Faribault metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $54,955 (2019) to $68,804 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,206 (34.95%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Faribault metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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

ExperienceEstimated Salary Range
0-2 years (New Graduate)$47,721$56,275
3-5 years (Mid Career)$56,275$71,432
5+ years (Experienced)$71,432$89,407
10+ years (Top Earner)$89,407$107,069

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 Faribault

Currently, Faribault employs six heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, positioning itself within a modest but viable market for HVAC professionals. The cost of living index in the area stands at 98.5, implying that salaries tend to stretch further here than in many national contexts. When evaluating potential employers, commercial HVAC contractors, particularly those servicing industrial facilities or large data centers, often offer more stable salaries compared to residential service companies that frequently lean on commission structures. Factors contributing to the salary discrepancy include seasonal service demands, the necessity for specialized skills in areas like data center cooling, and certifications from programs like NATE. As the market transitions to incorporate modern technologies such as heat pumps—boosted by current tax credits—those in the field should consider pursuing relevant certifications to enhance their marketability and earnings potential in this evolving job market in Faribault, MN.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Faribault, MN in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Faribault is $71,432/year ($34.34/hour), based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 3.82% annual growth). Salaries range from $47,721 at entry level (10th percentile) to $107,069 for experienced top earners (90th percentile). This puts Faribault at 18.7% above the national median. Full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers typically work 2,080 hours per year, though many positions offer part-time schedules with flexible hours across multiple practices.

Is Faribault, MN a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?

Faribault heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salaries are 18.7% above the national average and 5.5% below the Minnesota state average. The metro area employs approximately 6 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. With a cost-of-living index of 98.5, your salary stretches further here than in higher-cost metros. Job availability depends on population density, the number of practices, and retirement turnover in the area.

Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Faribault?

The median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Faribault is $71,432, and the 90th percentile earns $107,069. Reaching $100K in this market typically requires a combination of advanced certifications, working at multiple practices, or transitioning into education or consulting roles.

What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Faribault?

After adjusting for Faribault's cost-of-living index of 98.5 (where 100 equals the national average), the $71,432 nominal salary has purchasing power equivalent to $72,520 in an average-cost city. This means your dollar goes 1.5% further in Faribault compared to the national average, making it an attractive location for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers seeking strong real wages.

How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Faribault?

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Faribault earn a median hourly rate of $34.34, which translates to approximately $71,432/year for full-time work (40 hours/week, 2,080 hours/year). Hourly rates range from $22.94 for entry-level positions to $51.47 for the most experienced practitioners. Part-time and per diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers sometimes command premium hourly rates because practices need flexible scheduling coverage.

Related Pages

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JL

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

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 $68,804 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Faribault 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 Faribault is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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