Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Union City, NJ: $64,948 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Union City, NJ earns a median $64,948/year (≈ $31.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Union City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $56,378 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Union City is projected to reach a median of $64,948, surpassing the national median of $60,174 by 7.93%. The salary range varies significantly from $45,076 at the 10th percentile to as high as $100,669 for the 90th percentile, reflecting the distinct demands of residential service versus commercial and data center work. Estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reveal a thriving job market in Union City, high lighting the potential opportunities available to skilled professionals in this sector.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,076 | $21.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,825 | $25.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,948 | $31.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,064 | $39.94 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,669 | $48.40 |
Median Salary Position
7.93% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, NJ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,593 (2026 est.). At $64,948, the local median is 7.93% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Union City median: $64,948/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $65,870 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +7.93% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Union City, NJ earn a median of $64,948 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.93% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $65,870.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,948 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,378 — a 13.2% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,966
2025 BLS Actual
$62,558
2026 Current Est.
$64,948
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,966 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,874 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,864 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,694 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,754 | Actual |
| 2024 | $79,530 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,558 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,948 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,429 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $49,966 (2019) to $62,558 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,429 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,463 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $45,076 – $52,825 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,825 – $64,948 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,948 – $83,064 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,064 – $100,669 |
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 Union City
With 17 mechanics and installers currently employed in Union City, local job availability reflects a competitive atmosphere for labor. The cost of living index sits at 115.2, presenting a challenge as it indicates higher expenses in the area compared to national averages. Employers within the city offer varied compensation based on different focuses; while residential service companies may adopt commission-driven pay structures based on performance and customer demand, commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations generally provide more stable salaries. Specialized skills, such as expertise in precision cooling or holding a state contractor license, tend to command higher wages. Those pursuing opportunities in high-demand sectors, like heat pump installations facilitated by IRA tax credits, may find it beneficial to seek out additional certifications like NATE or further training in emerging refrigerants to maximize their earning potential in Union City, NJ.
More salary data for Union City, NJ:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Union City, NJ
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Union City, NJ
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Union City, NJ
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Union City, NJ in 2026?
Is Union City, 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 Union City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Union City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Union City?
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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 $62,558 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Union City 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 Union City 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