Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Middletown, NJ: $64,834 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Middletown, NJ earns a median $64,834/year (≈ $31.17/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $56,280 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
The projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Middletown, NJ, is $64,834 in 2026, which represents an 7.74% increase over the national median salary of $60,174. With a salary range from $44,813 at the 10th percentile to $98,069 at the 90th percentile, professionals in this field can find substantial opportunities to advance their earnings. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for the local cost of living, providing a clear snapshot of the compensation landscape in this area. Given the commission structures common in residential service companies, those willing to pursue sales-related avenues often see a significant boost in their overall earnings, making the Middletown job market ripe for ambitious HVAC technicians.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,813 | $21.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,594 | $25.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,834 | $31.17 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,311 | $38.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,069 | $47.14 |
Median Salary Position
7.74% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NJ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,256 (2026 est.). At $64,834, the local median is 7.74% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Middletown median: $64,834/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $65,821 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +7.74% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Middletown, NJ earn a median of $64,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.74% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.50% below the New Jersey state average of $65,821.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,834 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,280 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,879
2025 BLS Actual
$62,448
2026 Current Est.
$64,834
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,879 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,782 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,776 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,601 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,651 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,390 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,448 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,834 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,310 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $49,879 (2019) to $62,448 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,310 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,431 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $44,813 – $52,594 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,594 – $64,834 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,834 – $80,311 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,311 – $98,069 |
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 Middletown
In Middletown, the job market comprises 15 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, indicating a steady demand for qualified professionals. The local cost of living index stands at 115.2, meaning that while salaries may be competitive, the purchasing power of take-home pay can be impacted by higher living expenses. Employers such as Carrier dealers, Trane Comfort Specialists, and large commercial HVAC contractors may offer the highest compensation packages, especially for those with specialized skills like data center cooling systems or commercial HVAC controls. Factors that drive the variances in pay include the commission and spiff structures at residential firms, on-call rotation premiums, and specific certifications like NATE and state contractor licenses. Technicians looking to maximize their pay in Middletown should focus on enhancing their qualifications, pursuing commercial contracts, and staying updated on industry innovations like heat pump installations, driven by the recent surge in demand fueled by IRA tax credits.
More salary data for Middletown, NJ:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Middletown, NJ
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Middletown, NJ
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Middletown, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Middletown, NJ in 2026?
Is Middletown, NJ a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Middletown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Middletown?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Middletown?
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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 $62,448 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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