Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Poughkeepsie, NY: $65,628 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Poughkeepsie, NY earns a median $65,628/year (≈ $31.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Poughkeepsie's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.9), that paycheck buys what $56,625 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.9% above the New York state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Poughkeepsie, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $65,628. This figure represents a notable 9.06% increase over the projected national median of $60,174 for 2026, while the salary range for local technicians spans from $43,345 at the tenth percentile to $98,961 at the ninetieth percentile. These estimates, drawn from state-level data and adjusted for regional cost factors, illustrate the substantial income potential within this occupation. The market here is influenced by a structural divide between commercial and residential service work, with mechanics and installers in commercial settings often earning higher salaries due to the complexity and precision of the systems they manage.
About the Poughkeepsie Market
Salary estimated from New York average ($74,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,345 | $20.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,734 | $24.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,628 | $31.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,692 | $39.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,961 | $47.58 |
Median Salary Position
9.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poughkeepsie
In Poughkeepsie, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,616 (2026 est.). At $65,628, the local median is 9.06% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Poughkeepsie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Poughkeepsie Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Poughkeepsie median: $65,628/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poughkeepsie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $61,971 | +5.90% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +9.06% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Poughkeepsie, NY earn a median of $65,628 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.06% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.90% above the New York state average of $61,971.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poughkeepsie has a cost of living 15.90% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poughkeepsie, NY has a cost-of-living index of 115.9 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,628 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,625 — a 13.72% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,490
2025 BLS Actual
$63,213
2026 Current Est.
$65,628
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Poughkeepsie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,490 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,417 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,386 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,246 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,369 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,474 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,213 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,628 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,135 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poughkeepsie metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $50,490 (2019) to $63,213 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,135 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,645 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poughkeepsie 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) | $43,345 – $51,734 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,734 – $65,628 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,628 – $81,692 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,692 – $98,961 |
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 Poughkeepsie
Currently, Poughkeepsie employs a modest five individuals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer role, reflecting a tight labor market. Despite the cost of living index at 115.9 indicating that it is more expensive to reside in this city than the national average, competitive pay levels can still provide viable living conditions for workers. Employers that pay the highest wages are often found within commercial HVAC contracting, particularly in sectors such as healthcare, education, and large-scale data centers. The salary variance stems from factors including the demand for specialized skills like commercial controls and data center cooling, alongside residential service commission structures that can motivate technicians to perform at a higher level. Strategies for maximizing pay in Poughkeepsie include pursuing necessary certifications, staying updated with emerging refrigerants and technologies, and considering opportunities with multi-location franchises that typically offer better compensation than small residential service companies.
More salary data for Poughkeepsie, NY:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Poughkeepsie, NY
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Poughkeepsie, NY
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Poughkeepsie, NY
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Poughkeepsie, NY in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Poughkeepsie?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Poughkeepsie?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Poughkeepsie?
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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 $63,213 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Poughkeepsie 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 Poughkeepsie 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