Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Brunswick, NJ: $66,105 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in New Brunswick, NJ earns a median $66,105/year (≈ $31.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in New Brunswick's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $57,383 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Brunswick is projected to be $66,105, representing a significant increase compared to national figures. With salaries ranging from $42,469 at the 10th percentile to $102,405 at the 90th percentile, this compensation structure highlights the local market's competitiveness, especially for those skilled in areas like heat pump installation, driven by IRA tax credit incentives. These local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional economic conditions, reinforcing the promising prospects within New Brunswick's job market for those in this essential trade.
About the New Brunswick Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,469 | $20.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,208 | $24.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,105 | $31.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,537 | $40.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,405 | $49.23 |
Median Salary Position
9.86% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Brunswick
In New Brunswick, NJ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,936 (2026 est.). At $66,105, the local median is 9.86% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Brunswick: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How New Brunswick Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
New Brunswick median: $66,105/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Brunswick Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $65,842 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +9.86% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in New Brunswick, NJ earn a median of $66,105 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.86% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.40% above the New Jersey state average of $65,842.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Brunswick has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Brunswick, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,105 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,383 — a 13.19% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$50,857
2025 BLS Actual
$63,673
2026 Current Est.
$66,105
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Brunswick (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,857 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,798 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,753 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,633 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,801 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,948 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,673 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,105 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,631 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Brunswick metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $50,857 (2019) to $63,673 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,631 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,774 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Brunswick 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) | $42,469 – $51,208 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,208 – $66,105 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,105 – $83,537 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,537 – $102,405 |
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 New Brunswick
The local job market has seen steady employment, with eight heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in the area. However, the cost of living index stands at 115.2, indicating it is above the national average, which can impact take-home pay and overall purchasing power. Employers that offer the highest wages typically include commercial HVAC contractors servicing hospitals and industrial buildings, as well as specialized refrigeration companies that cater to supermarkets and food service. Factors such as the complexity of jobs, on-call rotation premiums, and specialization in emerging technologies like data center cooling, contribute to the wide pay disparity in this field. To maximize income in New Brunswick, technicians should consider pursuing state HVAC contractor licensing, obtaining certifications like NATE, and actively seeking opportunities within high-demand growth areas influenced by the increasing need for energy-efficient heating solutions and innovative refrigerant technologies.
More salary data for New Brunswick, NJ:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in New Brunswick, NJ
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Brunswick, NJ
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Brunswick, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in New Brunswick, NJ in 2026?
Is New Brunswick, 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 New Brunswick?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New Brunswick?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in New Brunswick?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $63,673 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the New Brunswick 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 New Brunswick 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