Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Durham, NC: $58,369 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Durham, NC earns a median $58,369/year (≈ $28.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Durham's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.6), that paycheck buys what $59,821 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Durham, NC, is projected to reach a median of $58,369, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national figure of $60,174. The salary range for professionals in this field varies significantly, with the lowest 10% earning approximately $39,018 and the highest 90% drawing around $76,299. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the distinctions between the types of employers in the market. Commercial HVAC contractors, particularly those working with data centers and industrial facilities, typically offer better compensation compared to those focused on residential service, where commission structures can drive earnings upward but also present challenges that may influence take-home pay.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,018 | $18.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,727 | $22.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,369 | $28.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,649 | $30.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,299 | $36.68 |
Median Salary Position
3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Durham
In Durham, NC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,281 (2026 est.). At $58,369, the local median is 3% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Durham: You'd be above the median
How Durham Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Durham median: $58,369/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Durham Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $54,601 | +6.90% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.00% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Durham, NC earn a median of $58,369 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.00% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.90% above the North Carolina state average of $54,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Durham has a cost of living 2.43% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Durham, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.572 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,369 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,821 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.49% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,250
2025 BLS Actual
$56,221
2026 Current Est.
$58,369
2019–2027 Growth
+28.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Durham (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,250 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,490 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,710 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,690 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,380 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,221 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,369 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,598 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Durham metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.0% from $47,250 (2019) to $56,221 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,598 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,348 (28.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Durham 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) | $39,018 – $47,727 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,727 – $58,369 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,369 – $62,649 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,649 – $76,299 |
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 Durham
With about 750 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Durham, the local job market remains robust. The cost of living index sits at 97.572, which indicates that the purchasing power for these salaries can stretch further than in many other regions. Employers such as multi-location franchises and commercial HVAC contractors often lead in pay, driven by the specialized needs of their clientele, including industrial buildings and hospitals. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to various factors, including the complexity of commercial controls versus the more straightforward work in residential systems, as well as additional opportunities for commission-based pay in residential roles. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing relevant certifications like NATE and engaging with emerging trends such as heat pump installations—thanks to recent tax credits—can enhance career prospects significantly.
More salary data for Durham, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Durham, NC in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Durham?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Durham?
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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 $56,221 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Durham 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