Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $50,833 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $50,833/year (≈ $24.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $57,463 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.9% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the projected median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is anticipated to be $50,833. This figure reflects a growing demand driven by the expansion of heat pump installations and the recent IRA tax credits, which are significantly reshaping the local labor market. The salary range for this profession spans from $35,368 at the 10th percentile to $69,998 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential that accommodates varying levels of experience and specialization. These insights are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlighting the competitive nature of HVAC careers in Goldsboro amidst evolving market conditions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,368 | $17.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,092 | $20.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,833 | $24.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,507 | $28.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,998 | $33.65 |
Median Salary Position
15.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,630 (2026 est.). At $50,833, the local median is 15.52% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goldsboro Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $50,833/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $54,601 | -6.90% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -15.52% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $50,833 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.52% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.90% below the North Carolina state average of $54,601.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $50,833 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,463 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,230
2025 BLS Actual
$48,963
2026 Current Est.
$50,833
2019–2027 Growth
+49.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,090 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,590 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,240 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,963 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,833 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,775 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 39.0% from $35,230 (2019) to $48,963 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,775 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,545 (49.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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) | $35,368 – $43,092 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,092 – $50,833 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,833 – $58,507 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,507 – $69,998 |
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 Goldsboro
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers consists of around 160 professionals, showcasing a robust employment base. With a cost-of-living index at 88.462, working in Goldsboro allows for enhanced purchasing power compared to many other regions. Major employers include residential service companies like Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists, commercial contractors overseeing schools and hospitals, and refrigeration service companies catering to supermarkets and food services, with many offering diverse pay structures. The difference in salaries can stem from specialties such as data center precision cooling, commission-based earnings at residential firms, and additional certifications required for certain roles. To maximize earning potential in this market, technicians can pursue relevant NATE certifications, engage in continuous education on the newest refrigerants, and seek positions that offer compelling bonuses tied to performance metrics.
More salary data for Goldsboro, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $48,963 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Goldsboro 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