Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK: $59,296 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Oklahoma City, OK earns a median $59,296/year (≈ $28.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Oklahoma City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $65,587 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.7% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Oklahoma City, the 2026 median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $59,296, slightly below the national median of $60,174. Salary ranges vary significantly, with figures spanning from $36,651 at the 10th percentile to $82,385 at the 90th percentile, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys. This discrepancy highlights the structural divide in the local market, where those engaged in commercial HVAC—particularly in data center operations—often command higher pay compared to their counterparts in residential service roles. As Oklahoma City continues to evolve as a hub for both commercial and residential HVAC services, the competition for skilled technicians is expected to foster healthy salary growth in this sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,651 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,354 | $21.32 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,296 | $28.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,960 | $34.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,385 | $39.61 |
Median Salary Position
1.46% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oklahoma City
In Oklahoma City, OK, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,734 (2026 est.). At $59,296, the local median is 1.46% below the national median of $60,174.
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How Oklahoma City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Oklahoma City median: $59,296/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oklahoma City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $50,810 | +16.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -1.46% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Oklahoma City, OK earn a median of $59,296 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.46% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 16.70% above the Oklahoma state average of $50,810.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oklahoma City has a cost of living 9.59% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oklahoma City, OK has a cost-of-living index of 90.408 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $59,296 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,587 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,290
2025 BLS Actual
$57,114
2026 Current Est.
$59,296
2019–2027 Growth
+35.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oklahoma City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,290 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,290 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,114 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,296 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,561 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oklahoma City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 26.1% from $45,290 (2019) to $57,114 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,561 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,271 (35.93%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oklahoma City 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) | $36,651 – $44,354 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,354 – $59,296 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,296 – $71,960 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,960 – $82,385 |
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 Oklahoma City
With approximately 2,120 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Oklahoma City, the market exhibits a sound demand for these professionals. The city's cost-of-living index of 90.408 indicates a lower-than-average expense for residents, which can enhance take-home purchasing power for HVAC technicians. Among local employers, commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations frequently offer the most competitive salaries, while residential service companies, like Carrier dealers and ARS/Rescue Rooter, often rely on commission structures that can result in variable pay. The salary variance is driven by specialty skills, such as expertise in precision cooling for data centers and management of advanced HVAC controls, as well as factors like commission incentives and necessary state licensing. For technicians aiming to maximize earnings in Oklahoma City, developing expertise in emerging technologies—such as heat pumps that benefit from IRA tax credits—could lead to more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Oklahoma City, OK:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Oklahoma City, OK
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oklahoma City, OK
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Oklahoma City, OK in 2026?
Is Oklahoma City, OK a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Oklahoma City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Oklahoma City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Oklahoma City?
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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 $57,114 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Oklahoma City 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