Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mississippi: $49,633 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Mississippi's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $49,633/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Mississippi sits at BEA RPP 85.7 (14% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,915 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jackson ($49,457), Pearl ($46,741), Tupelo ($46,730).
In Mississippi, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn an average median salary of $49,633 in 2026, which is 17.5% lower than the national median of $60,174. The highest paying city in the state is Jackson, where the average salary reaches $51,346, compared to Clinton, which offers the lowest at $45,043. This $6,303 difference in earning potential can be attributed to varying demand for skilled workers, cost of living, and employer competition in metropolitan areas. Professionals in this field must meet specific state licensing requirements and comply with practice laws that govern their work scope. Given Mississippi's climate, which often requires both heating and cooling solutions, demand for services remains steady. Projections indicate a 3.82% annual growth rate for this occupation, with a total employment count of 1,310 mechanics and installers. Top cities for employment opportunities include Pearl at $48,527, Tupelo at $48,515, Madison at $48,321, and Southaven at $48,192. Overall, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mississippi displays a positive outlook, driven by ongoing demand for HVAC services in residential and commercial sectors.
Mississippi Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Mississippi: $30,339 (lowest entry-level) to $77,651 (highest top earner)
Mississippi vs National Average
Mississippi heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 17.52% less than the national median ($-10,541/year difference).
Mississippi Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Mississippi range from $35,571 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $75,491 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $49,633. The Mississippi median is $10,541 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $23.86/hr. Approximately 1,310 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,457
2025 BLS Actual
$47,807
2026 Current Est.
$49,633
2019–2027 Growth
+24.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mississippi (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,322 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,234 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,669 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,196 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,633 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,529 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mississippi metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 15.3% from $41,457 (2019) to $47,807 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,529 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,072 (24.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mississippi 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Mississippi
Lowest Paying Cities in Mississippi
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Clinton | $45,043 |
| Laurel | $45,309 |
| Hattiesburg | $45,952 |
| Columbus | $46,068 |
| Hernando | $46,119 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mississippi
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Mississippi cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson | $51,346 | 89.048 | $57,661 |
| Pearl | $48,527 | 85.7 | $56,624 |
| Tupelo | $48,515 | 85.7 | $56,610 |
| Madison | $48,321 | 85.7 | $56,384 |
| Southaven | $48,192 | 85.7 | $56,233 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Mississippi
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $35,571 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $49,633 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $75,491 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Mississippi metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Mississippi
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jackson | $51,346 |
| 2 | Pearl | $48,527 |
| 3 | Tupelo | $48,515 |
| 4 | Madison | $48,321 |
| 5 | Southaven | $48,192 |
| 6 | Biloxi | $48,131 |
| 7 | Horn Lake | $47,994 |
| 8 | Starkville | $47,641 |
| 9 | Gulfport | $47,569 |
| 10 | Ridgeland | $47,037 |
| 11 | Vicksburg | $47,037 |
| 12 | Oxford | $46,740 |
| 13 | Brandon | $46,690 |
| 14 | Meridian | $46,443 |
| 15 | Olive Branch | $46,351 |
| 16 | Hernando | $46,119 |
| 17 | Columbus | $46,068 |
| 18 | Hattiesburg | $45,952 |
| 19 | Laurel | $45,309 |
| 20 | Clinton | $45,043 |
More Mississippi Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Mississippi cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Mississippi in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mississippi?
How does Mississippi heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Mississippi?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Mississippi?
Which Mississippi city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Mississippi. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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