Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Rochester, NY: $62,699 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Rochester, NY earns a median $62,699/year (≈ $30.14/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Rochester's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.0), that paycheck buys what $64,615 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Rochester, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach a median of $62,699 in 2026, reflecting a competitive compensation landscape compared to the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly from $45,231 at the lower end (10th percentile) to an impressive $89,940 at the upper end (90th percentile), indicating substantial earning potential depending on experience, specialization, and employer type. These estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys and highlight a market where commission structures at residential service companies can lead to variable compensation, significantly enhancing overall earnings. Given Rochester's ongoing demand for HVAC services and the growth of heat pump installations, job opportunities in this field appear robust.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,231 | $21.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,193 | $24.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,699 | $30.14 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,937 | $37.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,940 | $43.24 |
Median Salary Position
4.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Rochester
In Rochester, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,709 (2026 est.). At $62,699, the local median is 4.2% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Rochester: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Rochester Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Rochester median: $62,699/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Rochester Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,017 | +1.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +4.20% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Rochester, NY earn a median of $62,699 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% above the New York state average of $62,017.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Rochester has a cost of living 2.97% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Rochester, NY has a cost-of-living index of 97.035 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $62,699 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,615 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.06% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,230
2025 BLS Actual
$60,392
2026 Current Est.
$62,699
2019–2027 Growth
+37.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Rochester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,300 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,392 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,699 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,094 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rochester metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 27.9% from $47,230 (2019) to $60,392 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,094 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,864 (37.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rochester 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) | $45,231 – $50,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,193 – $62,699 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,699 – $77,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,937 – $89,940 |
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 Rochester
With approximately 1,850 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working in the Rochester area, the local job market stands strong, particularly with a cost-of-living index of 97.035, slightly below the national average. This index suggests that workers in this field can enjoy a favorable take-home purchasing power for their salaries. Among local employers, commercial HVAC contractors and residential service companies tend to offer the most competitive pay, with specialists in data center operations and refrigeration also commanding high salaries. The variance in earnings can be attributed to factors such as specialization in commercial HVAC systems, commission incentives at residential service companies, and the growing demand for skilled technicians knowledgeable in new refrigerants and heat pump installations. For those looking to maximize their pay in the Rochester market, emphasizing certifications such as NATE and ACCA, gaining experience in high-demand areas, and exploring self-employment opportunities can be strategic moves.
More salary data for Rochester, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Rochester, NY in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Rochester?
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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 $60,392 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Rochester 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
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