Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jefferson City, MO: $57,382 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Jefferson City, MO earns a median $57,382/year (≈ $27.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Jefferson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.0), that paycheck buys what $65,225 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Jefferson City, Missouri, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,382. This figure reflects a competitive compensation landscape, especially when considering the broad salary range that spans from $37,893 at the 10th percentile to $105,770 at the 90th percentile. Data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys indicates that while local earnings are slightly below the national median of $60,174, the role remains crucial in ensuring comfort and efficiency in residential and commercial systems. As the demand for HVAC expertise continues to grow, driven by shifts in technology like heat pumps, this job market in Jefferson City appears poised for ongoing opportunities, particularly for those looking to excel in service-focused roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,893 | $18.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,413 | $21.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,382 | $27.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,414 | $37.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,770 | $50.85 |
Median Salary Position
4.64% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jefferson City
In Jefferson City, MO, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,877 (2026 est.). At $57,382, the local median is 4.64% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jefferson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jefferson City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Jefferson City median: $57,382/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jefferson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $57,729 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.64% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Jefferson City, MO earn a median of $57,382 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.64% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% below the Missouri state average of $57,729.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jefferson City has a cost of living 12.03% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jefferson City, MO has a cost-of-living index of 87.975 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,382 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,225 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,110
2025 BLS Actual
$55,271
2026 Current Est.
$57,382
2019–2027 Growth
+65.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Jefferson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,110 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,271 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,382 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,574 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jefferson City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 53.1% from $36,110 (2019) to $55,271 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,574 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,464 (64.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jefferson City 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) | $37,893 – $44,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,413 – $57,382 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,382 – $77,414 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,414 – $105,770 |
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 Jefferson City
The local job market features around 190 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Jefferson City, contributing to a solid foundation for the trade. Given the cost-of-living index of 87.975, which indicates lower living expenses compared to the national average, the purchasing power for local professionals can be favorable. Employers in the area, ranging from residential service companies to commercial HVAC contractors, pay varying wages, with residential service positions often including commission structures that can significantly influence earnings. Specialty roles, particularly in data center HVAC operations and commercial controls, tend to offer higher compensation due to complex requirements like state contractor licensing and brand-specific certifications. For those looking to maximize pay, building a strong portfolio of certifications, accepting on-call rotations, and focusing on high-demand specialties such as heat pump installations will be key strategies in navigating the evolution of the HVAC industry in Jefferson City, MO.
More salary data for Jefferson City, MO:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Jefferson City, MO
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jefferson City, MO
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Jefferson City, MO
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Jefferson City, MO in 2026?
Is Jefferson City, MO 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 Jefferson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Jefferson City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Jefferson City?
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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 $55,271 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Jefferson City 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