Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Hampshire: $70,964 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $70,964/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,136 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashua ($69,928), Manchester ($69,436), Salem ($57,656).
In New Hampshire, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $70,964, which is significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, representing a 17.9% increase. The highest-paying city is Nashua at $72,599, while Bedford has the lowest at $57,772, resulting in a salary gap of $14,827. This difference can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and the concentration of residential and commercial projects in areas like Nashua. New Hampshire has specific state licensing requirements that mechanics and installers must meet, which adds a layer of professionalism and ensures quality in the industry. The projected annual growth rate for this occupation in the state is 3.82%, indicating a consistent demand for skilled professionals. With a total of 975 individuals employed in this field across 16 metro areas, job opportunities are anticipated to grow, driven by ongoing advancements in technology, energy efficiency requirements, and an aging infrastructure requiring repair and maintenance. Cities like Manchester ($72,088), Salem ($59,858), Merrimack ($59,782), and Dover ($59,310) offer competitive salaries that reflect local market conditions. Overall, the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Hampshire looks promising.
New Hampshire Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $38,052 (lowest entry-level) to $111,466 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 17.93% more than the national median (+$10,790/year difference).
New Hampshire Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in New Hampshire range from $45,690 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $95,104 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $70,964. The New Hampshire median is $10,790 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $34.11/hr. Approximately 975 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,624
2025 BLS Actual
$68,353
2026 Current Est.
$70,964
2019–2027 Growth
+30.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,624 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,100 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,611 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,206 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,353 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,964 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,675 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 20.7% from $56,624 (2019) to $68,353 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,675 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,051 (30.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $72,088 | 105.657 | $68,228 |
| Nashua | $72,599 | 107.3 | $67,660 |
| Salem | $59,858 | 107.3 | $55,786 |
| Merrimack | $59,782 | 107.3 | $55,715 |
| Dover | $59,310 | 107.3 | $55,275 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,690 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $70,964 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $95,104 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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