Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Nebraska: $60,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Nebraska's 13 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $60,526/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Nebraska sits at BEA RPP 91.5 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,149 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Omaha ($59,442), Lincoln ($56,383), Grand Island ($55,167).
In Nebraska, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $60,526, which is slightly above the national median of $60,174, reflecting a 0.6% difference. The highest salaries are found in Omaha at $61,713, while the lowest are in North Platte at $48,639, creating a salary gap of $13,074. This difference can be attributed to factors such as urban demand for services, cost of living variations, and the concentration of industry in metropolitan areas. The state has specific licensing requirements for HVAC professionals, which can influence salary levels and job opportunities. Mechanics and installers in Nebraska are trained to comply with state regulations, impacting their scope of practice. Factors such as growing residential and commercial construction, along with increasing emphasis on energy efficiency, are driving demand for these skilled workers. The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Nebraska is projected to grow at an annual compounded rate of 3.82%. As of 2026, the total employment in this field is anticipated to be 2,232, with the top cities including Lincoln at $58,537 and Grand Island at $57,274, contributing to a stable outlook for individuals seeking employment in this sector.
Nebraska Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Nebraska: $32,477 (lowest entry-level) to $82,493 (highest top earner)
Nebraska vs National Average
Nebraska heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 0.58% more than the national median (+$352/year difference).
Nebraska Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Nebraska range from $43,612 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,414 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,526. The Nebraska median is $352 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $29.10/hr. Approximately 2,232 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 13 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$53,994
2025 BLS Actual
$58,299
2026 Current Est.
$60,526
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Nebraska (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,994 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,722 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,442 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,121 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,299 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,839 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nebraska metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 8.0% from $53,994 (2019) to $58,299 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,839 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,845 (16.38%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nebraska 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 Nebraska
Lowest Paying Cities in Nebraska
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| North Platte | $48,639 |
| Papillion | $48,655 |
| La Vista | $48,706 |
| Norfolk | $48,713 |
| Columbus | $48,844 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Nebraska
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Nebraska cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Omaha | $61,713 | 91.911 | $67,144 |
| Grand Island | $57,274 | 86.657 | $66,093 |
| Lincoln | $58,537 | 91.581 | $63,918 |
| Hastings | $51,032 | 91.5 | $55,773 |
| Fremont | $50,756 | 91.5 | $55,471 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Nebraska
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,612 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,526 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,414 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Nebraska metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 13 Cities in Nebraska
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Omaha | $61,713 |
| 2 | Lincoln | $58,537 |
| 3 | Grand Island | $57,274 |
| 4 | Hastings | $51,032 |
| 5 | Fremont | $50,756 |
| 6 | Bellevue | $50,651 |
| 7 | Kearney | $50,370 |
| 8 | Scottsbluff | $50,197 |
| 9 | Columbus | $48,844 |
| 10 | Norfolk | $48,713 |
| 11 | La Vista | $48,706 |
| 12 | Papillion | $48,655 |
| 13 | North Platte | $48,639 |
More Nebraska Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Nebraska 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.
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 Nebraska in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Nebraska?
How does Nebraska 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 Nebraska?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Nebraska?
Which Nebraska 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 Nebraska. State averages are employment-weighted across 13 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