Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Mexico: $53,911 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Mexico's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $53,911/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because New Mexico sits at BEA RPP 94.4 (6% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,109 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Albuquerque ($54,255), Rio Rancho ($53,500), Roswell ($50,990).
In New Mexico, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $53,911. This amount is roughly 10.4% lower than the national median salary of $60,174. Salary variations among cities are notable, with Albuquerque offering the highest average at $56,328, while Santa Fe is at the lower end with $48,683, resulting in an approximate gap of $7,645. Factors driving these disparities include cost of living differences, local demand for HVAC services, and the concentration of residential and commercial developments. New Mexico requires state licensing for HVAC professionals, which typically involves passing the appropriate exams and demonstrating a certain level of experience. Demand for skilled workers in this field is increasing, supported by a projected annual growth rate of 3.82% in the job market for mechanics and installers. The top cities by projected salaries in 2026 include Rio Rancho at $55,544, Roswell at $52,938, Alamogordo at $52,503, and Hobbs at $52,474. This steady growth reflects a sustained need for maintenance and installation of climate control systems across the state, driven by changing weather patterns and an aging infrastructure that requires modernization.
New Mexico Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Mexico: $33,267 (lowest entry-level) to $86,093 (highest top earner)
New Mexico vs National Average
New Mexico heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 10.41% less than the national median ($-6,263/year difference).
New Mexico Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in New Mexico range from $37,164 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $74,146 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $53,911. The New Mexico median is $6,263 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $25.92/hr. Approximately 1,592 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,930
2025 BLS Actual
$51,927
2026 Current Est.
$53,911
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Mexico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,930 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,692 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,999 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,053 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,927 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,911 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Mexico metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 15.6% from $44,930 (2019) to $51,927 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,040 (24.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Mexico 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 Mexico
Lowest Paying Cities in New Mexico
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Santa Fe | $48,683 |
| Las Cruces | $48,970 |
| Taos | $49,646 |
| Los Alamos | $49,738 |
| Los Lunas | $50,156 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Mexico
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Mexico cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Albuquerque | $56,328 | 95.546 | $58,954 |
| Rio Rancho | $55,544 | 94.4 | $58,839 |
| Farmington | $51,327 | 87.707 | $58,521 |
| Roswell | $52,938 | 94.4 | $56,078 |
| Alamogordo | $52,503 | 94.4 | $55,618 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Mexico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $37,164 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $53,911 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $74,146 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Mexico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in New Mexico
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Albuquerque | $56,328 |
| 2 | Rio Rancho | $55,544 |
| 3 | Roswell | $52,938 |
| 4 | Alamogordo | $52,503 |
| 5 | Hobbs | $52,474 |
| 6 | South Valley | $52,260 |
| 7 | Farmington | $51,327 |
| 8 | Clovis | $51,247 |
| 9 | Carlsbad | $51,167 |
| 10 | Deming | $50,352 |
| 11 | Gallup | $50,173 |
| 12 | Las Vegas | $50,165 |
| 13 | Los Lunas | $50,156 |
| 14 | Los Alamos | $49,738 |
| 15 | Taos | $49,646 |
| 16 | Las Cruces | $48,970 |
| 17 | Santa Fe | $48,683 |
More New Mexico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in New Mexico 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 Mexico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Mexico?
How does New Mexico 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 Mexico?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in New Mexico?
Which New Mexico 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 Mexico. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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