Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Minneapolis, MN: $76,428 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Minneapolis, MN earns a median $76,428/year (≈ $36.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Minneapolis's price level (5% above national, BEA RPP 104.8), that paycheck buys what $72,912 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Minneapolis, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $76,428, reflecting a competitive compensation level when compared to the national figure of $60,174. The salary range for these positions spans from $47,993 at the 10th percentile to $99,280 at the 90th percentile, revealing significant earning potential influenced by experience, specialization, and market demand. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, underscores the substantial opportunities available in the Minneapolis job market, especially amid the ongoing emphasis on energy efficiency and advanced HVAC technologies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,993 | $23.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,523 | $28.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,428 | $36.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,400 | $43.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,280 | $47.73 |
Median Salary Position
27.01% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Minneapolis
In Minneapolis, MN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,287 (2026 est.). At $76,428, the local median is 27.01% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Minneapolis: You'd be above the median
How Minneapolis Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Minneapolis median: $76,428/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Minneapolis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $75,597 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +27.01% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Minneapolis, MN earn a median of $76,428 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.01% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% above the Minnesota state average of $75,597.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Minneapolis has a cost of living 4.82% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Minneapolis, MN has a cost-of-living index of 104.822 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,428 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,912 — a 4.6% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,320
2025 BLS Actual
$73,616
2026 Current Est.
$76,428
2019–2027 Growth
+38.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Minneapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,320 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,830 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,760 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,090 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,616 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,428 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,348 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minneapolis metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 28.4% from $57,320 (2019) to $73,616 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,348 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,028 (38.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minneapolis 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) | $47,993 – $59,523 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,523 – $76,428 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,428 – $91,400 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,400 – $99,280 |
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 Minneapolis
Examining the local job market, approximately 2,420 individuals are currently employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Minneapolis. The cost of living index stands at 104.822, indicating that while salaries are relatively high, the increased expenses can affect take-home pay. Employers that tend to offer the highest wages include residential service companies like Trane Comfort Specialists, as well as commercial HVAC contractors servicing industrial and healthcare sectors. Variations in pay often reflect the specialization of the work, with those skilled in precision cooling for data centers or proficient in emerging technologies like heat pumps capitalizing on IRA tax credits. For mechanics and installers aiming to maximize their pay in this vibrant Minneapolis market, pursuing brand-specific certifications, such as NATE and EPA Section 608, can enhance career prospects while understanding commission structures can provide insights into potential earnings, especially in residential services.
More salary data for Minneapolis, MN:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Minneapolis, MN
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Minneapolis, MN
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Minneapolis, MN
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Minneapolis, MN in 2026?
Is Minneapolis, MN a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Minneapolis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Minneapolis?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Minneapolis?
Related Pages
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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 $73,616 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Minneapolis 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