Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Camden, NJ: $62,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Camden, NJ earns a median $62,174/year (≈ $29.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Camden's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $53,970 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Camden, NJ, the forecast for 2026 indicates a median salary of $62,174 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, slightly above the national median of $60,174. Salaries in this field are expected to range from $41,152 at the low end to $96,369 for top earners. This promising outlook is influenced significantly by the growing demand for heat pump installations, spurred by recent IRA tax credits. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional adjustments illustrate that Camden’s HVAC market is adapting proactively to new energy standards, ultimately shaping hiring trends in the region.
About the Camden Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,152 | $19.79 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,071 | $23.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,174 | $29.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,475 | $38.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,369 | $46.33 |
Median Salary Position
3.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Camden
In Camden, NJ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,217 (2026 est.). At $62,174, the local median is 3.32% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Camden: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Camden Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Camden median: $62,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Camden Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $65,862 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +3.32% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Camden, NJ earn a median of $62,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.32% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.60% below the New Jersey state average of $65,862.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Camden has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Camden, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,174 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,970 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,832
2025 BLS Actual
$59,886
2026 Current Est.
$62,174
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Camden (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,832 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,658 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,734 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,443 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,244 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,927 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,886 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,549 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Camden metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $47,832 (2019) to $59,886 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,549 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,717 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Camden 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) | $41,152 – $49,071 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,071 – $62,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,174 – $79,475 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,475 – $96,369 |
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 Camden
Analysis of Camden's job market reveals that there are currently 16 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed, which places reliance upon service companies and commercial HVAC contractors as primary job sources. With a cost of living index of 115.2, take-home pay faces pressure, impacting purchasing power. Employers such as Carrier, Trane, and ARS/Rescue Rooter provide some of the highest salaries, especially in specialized roles like data center HVAC operations or technical support for manufacturer brands. The variability in pay can largely be attributed to specialization, commission structures at residential companies, and the state contractor licenses required for business ownership. Achieving higher pay entails seeking certifications such as NATE or engaging in high-demand projects involving recognized brands. Emphasizing skills in emerging technologies, particularly with heat pumps and new refrigerants, can enhance career prospects and financial rewards in Camden's HVAC industry.
More salary data for Camden, NJ:
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 $59,886 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Camden 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 Camden 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