Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Stow, OH: $58,012 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Stow, OH earns a median $58,012/year (≈ $27.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Stow's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $63,960 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Stow, Ohio, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected at a median annual figure of $58,012 for 2026. This amount reflects a range from $39,899 at the lower end (P10) to $87,288 for those at the higher end (P90). These salary figures derive from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local economic conditions. The local job market can be particularly influenced by the structural divide between commercial HVAC operations and residential service providers, which often leads to variances in compensation depending on specialization and service focus.
About the Stow Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,899 | $19.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,901 | $22.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,012 | $27.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,096 | $34.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,288 | $41.96 |
Median Salary Position
3.59% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Stow
In Stow, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,389 (2026 est.). At $58,012, the local median is 3.59% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Stow: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Stow Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Stow median: $58,012/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Stow Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,873 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.59% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Stow, OH earn a median of $58,012 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.59% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.70% below the Ohio state average of $60,873.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Stow has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Stow, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,012 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,960 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,630
2025 BLS Actual
$55,877
2026 Current Est.
$58,012
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Stow (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,334 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,539 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,066 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,479 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,107 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,877 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,012 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,228 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Stow metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,630 (2019) to $55,877 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,228 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,598 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Stow 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) | $39,899 – $46,901 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,901 – $58,012 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,012 – $72,096 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,096 – $87,288 |
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 Stow
With only 9 professionals employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Stow, exploring the job landscape reveals more than just numbers. The cost of living index at 90.7 suggests that while salaries may fall slightly below the national median, purchasing power remains comparatively favorable. Among local employers, commercial entities, especially those servicing data centers and industrial facilities, tend to offer higher salaries compared to residential service companies. Factors such as specialty knowledge in data center cooling or official certifications like NATE can significantly enhance earnings. The rise in heat pump demand due to IRA tax credits also creates opportunities for increased compensation, particularly for those involved in residential installations. For individuals aiming to maximize their pay in Stow's market, focusing on certifications, such as the EPA Section 608, along with obtaining state HVAC contractor licenses, can lead to lucrative positions, especially in high-demand areas.
More salary data for Stow, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Stow, OH in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Stow?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Stow?
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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 $55,877 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Stow 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
Salary data for Stow is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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