Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Missouri: $60,578 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Missouri's 33 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $60,578/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Missouri sits at BEA RPP 89.6 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,609 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: St. Louis ($59,850), Kansas City ($59,546), St. Joseph ($58,815).
In Missouri, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $60,578, slightly above the national median of $60,174, representing a 0.7% advantage. St. Louis leads as the highest-paying city with a projected salary of $62,136, while Cape Girardeau offers the lowest at $46,504, revealing a salary gap of $15,632. This disparity is often driven by varying costs of living, local demand for services, and the scale of commercial versus residential projects. In Missouri, professionals are required to obtain state licenses, which necessitate passing relevant exams and completing specific training hours. This regulation ensures a consistent standard of service. The job market strength for this field is further supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, indicating steady demand for HVACR services influenced by factors such as new construction, increased energy efficiency standards, and the state's climate variability. As of 2026, there are an estimated 7,912 individuals employed in this sector across 33 metro areas in Missouri. The top cities for employment in this field include Kansas City ($61,821), St. Joseph ($61,062), Independence ($58,914), and St. Peters ($58,484), reinforcing the state's diverse opportunities for those entering this trade.
Missouri Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Missouri: $35,984 (lowest entry-level) to $105,770 (highest top earner)
Missouri vs National Average
Missouri heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 0.67% more than the national median (+$404/year difference).
Missouri Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Missouri range from $43,524 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $90,623 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,578. The Missouri median is $404 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $29.13/hr. Approximately 7,912 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 33 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,614
2025 BLS Actual
$58,349
2026 Current Est.
$60,578
2019–2027 Growth
+21.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Missouri (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,614 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,164 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,111 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,254 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,578 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,892 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Missouri metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 13.0% from $51,614 (2019) to $58,349 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,892 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,278 (21.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Missouri 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 Missouri
Lowest Paying Cities in Missouri
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cape Girardeau | $46,504 |
| Hannibal | $53,268 |
| Raymore | $53,441 |
| Branson | $53,646 |
| Belton | $54,579 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Missouri
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Missouri cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| St. Joseph | $61,062 | 86.382 | $70,688 |
| Kansas City | $61,821 | 92.543 | $66,802 |
| Independence | $58,914 | 89.6 | $65,752 |
| St. Louis | $62,136 | 95.088 | $65,346 |
| St. Peters | $58,484 | 89.6 | $65,272 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Missouri
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,524 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,578 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $90,623 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Missouri metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 33 Cities in Missouri
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Louis | $62,136 |
| 2 | Kansas City | $61,821 |
| 3 | St. Joseph | $61,062 |
| 4 | Independence | $58,914 |
| 5 | St. Peters | $58,484 |
| 6 | St. Charles | $58,374 |
| 7 | Columbia | $58,073 |
| 8 | O'Fallon | $57,697 |
| 9 | Florissant | $57,396 |
| 10 | Jefferson City | $57,382 |
| 11 | Wildwood | $57,269 |
| 12 | Kirkwood | $57,253 |
| 13 | Lee's Summit | $57,220 |
| 14 | Chesterfield | $57,212 |
| 15 | University City | $56,912 |
| 16 | Liberty | $56,890 |
| 17 | Grandview | $56,792 |
| 18 | Maryland Heights | $56,697 |
| 19 | Blue Springs | $56,056 |
| 20 | Raytown | $55,721 |
| 21 | Springfield | $55,637 |
| 22 | Webster Groves | $55,443 |
| 23 | Sedalia | $55,425 |
| 24 | Ballwin | $55,327 |
| 25 | Nixa | $55,322 |
| 26 | Gladstone | $55,174 |
| 27 | Wentzville | $55,044 |
| 28 | Joplin | $54,601 |
| 29 | Belton | $54,579 |
| 30 | Branson | $53,646 |
| 31 | Raymore | $53,441 |
| 32 | Hannibal | $53,268 |
| 33 | Cape Girardeau | $46,504 |
More Missouri Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Missouri cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Compare Cities in Missouri
View all comparisons →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 Missouri in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Missouri?
How does Missouri 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 Missouri?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Missouri?
Which Missouri 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 Missouri. State averages are employment-weighted across 33 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