Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Helena, MT: $61,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Helena, MT earns a median $61,811/year (≈ $29.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Helena's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $64,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Helena, Montana, the annual earnings for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected to reach a median salary of $61,811 in 2026. This figure signifies a competitive advantage when compared to the national median of $60,174, reflecting a slight edge of 2.72%. The salary range for these professionals spans from $45,340 at the 10th percentile to $78,006 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse compensation landscape shaped by factors such as skill specialization and experience. Data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys provides a solid basis for this market analysis, illustrating how local demand affects earnings in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,340 | $21.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,207 | $23.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,811 | $29.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,248 | $35.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,006 | $37.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Helena
In Helena, MT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,666 (2026 est.). At $61,811, the local median is 2.72% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Helena: You'd be above the median
How Helena Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Helena median: $61,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Helena Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $61,382 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.72% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Helena, MT earn a median of $61,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.72% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.70% above the Montana state average of $61,382.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Helena has a cost of living 4.33% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Helena, MT has a cost-of-living index of 95.675 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,605 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,553
2025 BLS Actual
$59,537
2026 Current Est.
$61,811
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Helena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,553 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,369 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,456 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,149 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,917 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,537 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,173 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Helena metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $47,553 (2019) to $59,537 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,173 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,620 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Helena 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) | $45,340 – $49,207 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,207 – $61,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,811 – $74,248 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,248 – $78,006 |
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 Helena
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Helena is relatively stable, with around 100 professionals currently employed in the area. The cost of living in Helena is indexed at 95.675, suggesting that salaries are more favorable in terms of purchasing power compared to national averages. Employers across various sectors influence pay dynamics, with residential service companies, particularly those linked to reputable brands like Carrier and Trane, often offering higher compensation due to commission and spiff structures. Specialization in lucrative segments like data center HVAC or gaining brand-specific certifications can elevate income potential significantly. Moreover, understanding the growth driven by heat pump installations amidst changing regulations can be beneficial for technicians looking to secure higher wages. Utilizing strategies to enhance skills and certifications, particularly those related to EPA Section 608 and NATE, can also optimize earning opportunities in the Helena MT market.
More salary data for Helena, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Helena, MT in 2026?
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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 $59,537 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Helena 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, 2-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