Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Auburn, NY: $58,915 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Auburn, NY earns a median $58,915/year (≈ $28.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $50,833 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the estimated annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Auburn, NY, is projected at $58,915, slightly lower than the national median of $60,174. Those in this field can expect a broad salary range, with entry-level positions starting around $40,497 and seasoned professionals potentially earning up to $90,302. These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional costs, reflect a local job market that is poised for steady growth with an annual increase rate of 3.82%. Given Auburn's residential demand and the impact of commission-based structures in sales-driven roles, the potential earnings vary significantly depending on company performance and individual skillsets, revealing a competitive landscape for technicians.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,497 | $19.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,476 | $22.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,915 | $28.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,360 | $35.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,302 | $43.42 |
Median Salary Position
2.09% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,805 (2026 est.). At $58,915, the local median is 2.09% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Auburn median: $58,915/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,016 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.09% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Auburn, NY earn a median of $58,915 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.09% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.00% below the New York state average of $62,016.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,915 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $50,833 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,325
2025 BLS Actual
$56,747
2026 Current Est.
$58,915
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,325 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,055 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,799 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,296 | Actual |
| 2024 | $81,513 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,747 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,915 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,165 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $45,325 (2019) to $56,747 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,165 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,840 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $40,497 – $47,476 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,476 – $58,915 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,915 – $74,360 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,360 – $90,302 |
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 Auburn
The local job market presently employs four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which indicates a niche sector. Despite the higher cost of living index in Auburn at 115.9, job seekers must navigate employer standards when it comes to pay. Leading companies that tend to offer competitive wages include residential service providers and commercial HVAC contractors, especially those involved in specialized segments like data center cooling or refrigeration for the food service industry. The variance in pay often comes down to specialization, with on-call premiums and sales spiffs enhancing earnings. For those looking to maximize their pay in Auburn, acquiring state HVAC contractor licenses and brand-specific certifications such as NATE not only boosts credibility but can open doors to more lucrative positions, particularly in a market witnessing growth due to regulatory shifts toward heat pumps and new refrigerants.
More salary data for Auburn, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Auburn, NY in 2026?
Is Auburn, NY 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 Auburn?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Auburn?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Auburn?
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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 $56,747 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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