Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma: $58,972 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oklahoma's 27 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $58,972/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Oklahoma sits at BEA RPP 88.9 (11% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $66,335 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Lawton ($69,331), Oklahoma City ($57,114), Tulsa ($55,813).
In Oklahoma, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect to earn an average median salary of $58,972 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $60,174, representing a 2.0% difference. Salaries vary significantly across the state, with the highest-paying city being Lawton at $71,979 and the lowest, Sand Springs, at $46,711. This disparity can be attributed to differences in local demand, cost of living, and the presence of regional industries in these areas. Oklahoma's specific factors include state licensing requirements that ensure professionals are adequately trained and certified, affecting their employability and earning potential. Demand drivers in the state include climate factors that necessitate heating and cooling services, as well as an ongoing need for energy efficiency upgrades. The job market for this profession has a projected growth rate of 3.82% annually, indicating a steady demand for qualified mechanics and installers. With a total of 4,368 individuals employed in this field across 27 metropolitan areas, opportunities are expected to expand, especially in cities like Oklahoma City, which offers a median salary of $59,296, and Tulsa, at $57,945.
Oklahoma Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oklahoma: $30,949 (lowest entry-level) to $82,385 (highest top earner)
Oklahoma vs National Average
Oklahoma heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 2% less than the national median ($-1,202/year difference).
Oklahoma Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Oklahoma range from $36,406 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,494 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $58,972. The Oklahoma median is $1,202 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $28.36/hr. Approximately 4,368 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 27 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$44,623
2025 BLS Actual
$56,802
2026 Current Est.
$58,972
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oklahoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,623 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,471 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,795 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,515 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,276 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,802 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,972 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,225 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 27.3% from $44,623 (2019) to $56,802 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,225 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,602 (37.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma
Lowest Paying Cities in Oklahoma
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sand Springs | $46,711 |
| Ponca City | $47,214 |
| Durant | $47,578 |
| Del City | $47,784 |
| Sapulpa | $47,930 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oklahoma
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oklahoma cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawton | $71,979 | 85.941 | $83,754 |
| Oklahoma City | $59,296 | 90.408 | $65,587 |
| Tulsa | $57,945 | 89.214 | $64,951 |
| Enid | $53,546 | 84.269 | $63,542 |
| Broken Arrow | $51,959 | 88.9 | $58,447 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oklahoma
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,406 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $58,972 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,494 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oklahoma metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 27 Cities in Oklahoma
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lawton | $71,979 |
| 2 | Oklahoma City | $59,296 |
| 3 | Tulsa | $57,945 |
| 4 | Enid | $53,546 |
| 5 | Broken Arrow | $51,959 |
| 6 | Norman | $51,507 |
| 7 | Moore | $50,817 |
| 8 | Midwest City | $50,364 |
| 9 | Yukon | $50,193 |
| 10 | Bartlesville | $49,857 |
| 11 | Owasso | $49,542 |
| 12 | Muskogee | $49,491 |
| 13 | Stillwater | $49,436 |
| 14 | Shawnee | $49,388 |
| 15 | Edmond | $49,054 |
| 16 | Tahlequah | $48,785 |
| 17 | Bixby | $48,709 |
| 18 | Jenks | $48,525 |
| 19 | Claremore | $48,423 |
| 20 | Altus | $48,182 |
| 21 | Ardmore | $48,095 |
| 22 | Bethany | $48,094 |
| 23 | Sapulpa | $47,930 |
| 24 | Del City | $47,784 |
| 25 | Durant | $47,578 |
| 26 | Ponca City | $47,214 |
| 27 | Sand Springs | $46,711 |
More Oklahoma Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oklahoma?
How does Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Oklahoma?
Which Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma. State averages are employment-weighted across 27 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