Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Akron, OH: $60,253 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Akron, OH earns a median $60,253/year (≈ $28.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Akron's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $64,531 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Akron, Ohio, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected for 2026 at $60,253, offering a competitive rate compared to the national median of $60,174. In this sector, compensation ranges from $37,716 at the lower end to an impressive $95,365 for experienced professionals, reflecting a significant divide in pay based on the type of service provided. Official BLS OEWS surveys have highlighted this structure, which splits between residential services, often influenced by commission structures, and the more stable commercial or data center services that offer salaried positions with overtime opportunities. This distinction shapes the market in Akron, presenting varied earnings potential for those entering the field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,716 | $18.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,023 | $23.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,253 | $28.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,451 | $36.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,365 | $45.86 |
Median Salary Position
0.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Akron
In Akron, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,649 (2026 est.). At $60,253, the local median is 0.13% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Akron: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Akron Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Akron median: $60,253/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Akron Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,923 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +0.13% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Akron, OH earn a median of $60,253 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.13% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% below the Ohio state average of $60,923.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Akron has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Akron, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.37 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $60,253 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,531 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,530
2025 BLS Actual
$58,036
2026 Current Est.
$60,253
2019–2027 Growth
+58.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Akron (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,530 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,036 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,253 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,555 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Akron metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 46.8% from $39,530 (2019) to $58,036 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,555 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,025 (58.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Akron 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) | $37,716 – $48,023 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,023 – $60,253 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,253 – $75,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,451 – $95,365 |
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 Akron
The local job market comprises about 850 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Akron, underscoring the area's demand for skilled labor. With a cost of living index at 93.37, technicians can find their take-home pay to stretch further than in many parts of the country. In Akron, the highest-paying employers typically include commercial HVAC contractors and large data centers; while residential service companies can provide high earnings through commissions, they also carry pressures that can be stressful for technicians. The wide pay gap in the field stems from various factors, such as specialty skills in areas like precision cooling and commercial controls, as well as the importance of certifications from organizations like NATE or brand-specific programs. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in this market, pursuing specialized training and obtaining a state contractor license can be advantageous, especially with the ongoing growth driven by the heat pump installation surge and the associated IRA tax credits.
More salary data for Akron, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Akron, OH in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Akron?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Akron?
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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 $58,036 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Akron 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