Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Los Alamos, NM: $49,738 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Los Alamos, NM earns a median $49,738/year (≈ $23.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Los Alamos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $52,689 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.8% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In the evolving market of Los Alamos, NM, the 2026 median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected at $49,738. This figure reflects local conditions influenced by initiatives such as the heat pump and IRA tax credit growth, which are reshaping the demand for skilled technicians in the area. Ranging from $35,178 at the lower end to $74,095 at the upper end of the spectrum, these estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data, further adjusted for regional cost considerations. This local pay scale is notably lower than the national median of $60,174, highlighting both opportunities and challenges within the market. Given the small number of employed technicians, the job landscape is competitive but has potential for growth as demand for energy-efficient solutions rises.
About the Los Alamos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,178 | $16.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,760 | $19.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,738 | $23.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,823 | $29.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,095 | $35.62 |
Median Salary Position
17.34% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Alamos
In Los Alamos, NM, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,917 (2026 est.). At $49,738, the local median is 17.34% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Alamos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Alamos Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Los Alamos median: $49,738/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Alamos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $53,946 | -7.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -17.34% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Los Alamos, NM earn a median of $49,738 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.34% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.80% below the New Mexico state average of $53,946.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Alamos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Alamos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $49,738 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,689 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,265
2025 BLS Actual
$47,908
2026 Current Est.
$49,738
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Los Alamos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,265 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,726 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,187 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,354 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,995 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,984 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,908 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,738 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,638 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Alamos metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $38,265 (2019) to $47,908 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,638 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,373 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Alamos 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) | $35,178 – $40,760 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,760 – $49,738 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,738 – $61,823 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,823 – $74,095 |
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 Los Alamos
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Los Alamos is clearly influenced by the area's cost of living index of 94.4, which indicates that living expenses are generally below the national average. With only six technicians employed locally, those who work in specialized roles, particularly in commercial HVAC or within larger data center operations, may experience higher pay due to the technical demands and on-call rotations associated with these positions. Employers, including commercial HVAC contractors and refrigeration specialists serving supermarkets or restaurants, tend to pay more than residential service companies. The discrepancy in wages stems from several factors, including the complexity of the services offered and the commission structures prevalent in residential service roles. To maximize earning potential in Los Alamos, technicians should pursue advanced certifications and seek out roles in higher-paying sectors, such as data center support or specialty HVAC, while staying updated on emerging technologies and refrigerants.
More salary data for Los Alamos, NM:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Los Alamos, NM
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Los Alamos, NM
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Los Alamos, NM
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Los Alamos, NM in 2026?
Is Los Alamos, NM 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 Los Alamos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Los Alamos?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Los Alamos?
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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 $47,908 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Los Alamos 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 Los Alamos 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