Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in North Dakota: $70,282 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across North Dakota's 8 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $70,282/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because North Dakota sits at BEA RPP 92.0 (8% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $76,393 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Fargo ($72,124), Grand Forks ($71,697), Bismarck ($61,532).
In North Dakota, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $70,282, which is significantly above the national median of $60,174, translating to a 16.8% increase. Fargo stands out as the highest-paying city in the state, offering a salary of $74,879, while Mandan offers the lowest at $49,154, reflecting a substantial gap of $25,725. This disparity can be attributed to factors such as local demand for skilled labor, population density, and the concentration of commercial activities in larger cities like Fargo. North Dakota maintains specific licensing requirements that ensure a skilled workforce, impacting salary levels and job opportunities. The state's scope of practice laws define the range of services these professionals can offer, contributing to their overall marketability. Given the projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, demand for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration services is expected to increase, driven by ongoing construction, infrastructure developments, and a push for energy efficiency in residential and commercial buildings. With a total of 787 mechanics and installers employed statewide, the profession shows stability and a healthy outlook, particularly in the key cities: Fargo, Grand Forks ($74,436), Bismarck ($63,883), Minot ($63,074), and West Fargo ($51,686).
North Dakota Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in North Dakota: $33,502 (lowest entry-level) to $96,676 (highest top earner)
North Dakota vs National Average
North Dakota heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 16.80% more than the national median (+$10,108/year difference).
North Dakota Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in North Dakota range from $45,414 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $94,273 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $70,282. The North Dakota median is $10,108 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $33.79/hr. Approximately 787 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 8 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$51,783
2025 BLS Actual
$67,696
2026 Current Est.
$70,282
2019–2027 Growth
+40.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in North Dakota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,783 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,901 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,402 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,935 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,259 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,696 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,282 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the North Dakota metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 30.7% from $51,783 (2019) to $67,696 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,183 (40.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the North Dakota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in North Dakota
Lowest Paying Cities in North Dakota
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mandan | $49,154 |
| Williston | $50,183 |
| Dickinson | $51,424 |
| West Fargo | $51,686 |
| Minot | $63,074 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in North Dakota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these North Dakota cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Forks | $74,436 | 86.663 | $85,891 |
| Fargo | $74,879 | 90.871 | $82,401 |
| Minot | $63,074 | 87.028 | $72,476 |
| Bismarck | $63,883 | 91.024 | $70,183 |
| West Fargo | $51,686 | 92 | $56,180 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in North Dakota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,414 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $70,282 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $94,273 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across North Dakota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 8 Cities in North Dakota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fargo | $74,879 |
| 2 | Grand Forks | $74,436 |
| 3 | Bismarck | $63,883 |
| 4 | Minot | $63,074 |
| 5 | West Fargo | $51,686 |
| 6 | Dickinson | $51,424 |
| 7 | Williston | $50,183 |
| 8 | Mandan | $49,154 |
More North Dakota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in North Dakota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in North Dakota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in North Dakota?
How does North Dakota heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in North Dakota?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in North Dakota?
Which North Dakota city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across North Dakota. State averages are employment-weighted across 8 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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