Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Winston, NC: $54,601 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Winston, NC earns a median $54,601/year (≈ $26.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $59,321 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Winston, North Carolina, can expect a median annual salary of $54,601 in 2026, which reflects a competitive pay structure in the region compared to the national median of $60,174. With a salary range spanning from $37,253 at the 10th percentile to $73,588 at the 90th percentile, there's significant potential for upward mobility, particularly in sectors that emphasize commercial HVAC services and specialized refrigeration technologies. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and indicate that Winston offers a solid foundation for professionals within the sector, particularly those engaged in data center operations where precise temperature controls and advanced systems are critical to performance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,253 | $17.91 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,380 | $21.81 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,601 | $26.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,016 | $28.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,588 | $35.38 |
Median Salary Position
9.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,335 (2026 est.). At $54,601, the local median is 9.26% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Winston median: $54,601/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $60,174 | -9.26% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Winston, NC earn a median of $54,601 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.26% lower than the national median of $60,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $54,601 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,321 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,920
2025 BLS Actual
$52,592
2026 Current Est.
$54,601
2019–2027 Growth
+38.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,900 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,370 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,592 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,601 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 28.5% from $40,920 (2019) to $52,592 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,767 (38.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $37,253 – $45,380 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,380 – $54,601 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,601 – $60,016 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,016 – $73,588 |
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 Winston
In Winston, approximately 700 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are actively employed, contributing to the local market strength. The cost-of-living index sits at 92.043, suggesting that take-home purchasing power can be relatively favorable when considering salary levels. Employers in the region that tend to pay the most include commercial HVAC contractors serving industrial clients, large data center operations, and specialty refrigeration firms that cater to food service industries. The variation between the lower and higher ends of the pay spectrum is influenced by factors such as specialization in commercial controls, commission structures at residential service companies, and the increasing demand for energy-efficient systems due to the heat pump and IRA tax credit incentives. To maximize earning potential in Winston, mechanics and installers should focus on obtaining relevant certifications like NATE, pursuing additional training in emerging refrigerants, and seeking opportunities in high-demand sectors, which can substantially improve their pay trajectories over time.
More salary data for Winston, 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 $52,592 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Winston 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