Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Kearney, NE: $50,370 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Kearney, NE earns a median $50,370/year (≈ $24.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Kearney's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $55,049 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.7% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kearney, Nebraska, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $50,370 in 2026, reflecting a significant regional difference compared to the national median of $60,174. Salaries in this field show a broad range from $35,541 at the 10th percentile to $76,845 at the 90th percentile, illustrating diverse earning potential depending not only on experience but also the sector of employment. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments indicate that those who work in commercial or data center environments typically earn higher wages than those focused on residential services. As the demand for HVAC services, particularly in commercial settings, continues to grow in Kearney, opportunities for skilled technicians will likely increase, influencing local salary dynamics.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,541 | $17.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,386 | $19.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,370 | $24.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,243 | $30.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,845 | $36.95 |
Median Salary Position
16.29% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kearney
In Kearney, NE, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,304 (2026 est.). At $50,370, the local median is 16.29% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Kearney: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kearney Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Kearney median: $50,370/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kearney Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $52,306 | -3.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -16.29% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Kearney, NE earn a median of $50,370 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.29% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $52,306.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kearney has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kearney, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $50,370 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,049 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,752
2025 BLS Actual
$48,517
2026 Current Est.
$50,370
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,752 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,231 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,672 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,867 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,567 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,343 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,517 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,370 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,294 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kearney metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $38,752 (2019) to $48,517 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,294 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,542 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney 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) | $35,541 – $41,386 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,386 – $50,370 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,370 – $63,243 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,243 – $76,845 |
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 Kearney
Employment levels within Kearney are modest, with only nine professionals currently holding positions in this trade, which can impact both job availability and competition. The area's cost of living index sits at 91.5, indicating a more affordable lifestyle than the national average, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries to a degree. Some of the highest-paying employers include commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations, where precision cooling and advanced HVAC controls determine salaries. The variation between the lower and higher ends of the pay scale can often be attributed to specialization in commercial services, which tend to offer more stable salary structures compared to the commission-dependent residential service roles. To maximize pay in this market, technicians should consider obtaining state contractor licenses, specialized certifications like NATE or those from key manufacturers, and diversifying skill sets to include trending technologies like heat pumps as demand for energy-efficient solutions continues to rise.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $48,517 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Kearney 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
Salary data for Kearney is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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