Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tulsa, OK: $57,945 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Tulsa, OK earns a median $57,945/year (≈ $27.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Tulsa's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.2), that paycheck buys what $64,951 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.0% above the Oklahoma state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Tulsa, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,945 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median of $60,174. Salary ranges in this occupation span from $36,661 at the 10th percentile to $77,316 at the 90th percentile, according to data derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys projected to 2026. The diverse compensation landscape reflects the varying demands of the roles, including strong incentives in residential service environments where commission structures can significantly enhance earnings. Overall, the job market for HVAC professionals in Tulsa appears solid, providing skilled technicians with ample opportunities to advance their earnings through experience and specialization.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,661 | $17.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,585 | $20.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,945 | $27.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,891 | $34.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,316 | $37.18 |
Median Salary Position
3.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulsa
In Tulsa, OK, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,655 (2026 est.). At $57,945, the local median is 3.7% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Tulsa: You'd be above the median
How Tulsa Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Tulsa median: $57,945/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulsa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma Average | $50,829 | +14.00% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.70% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Tulsa, OK earn a median of $57,945 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.70% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 14.00% above the Oklahoma state average of $50,829.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulsa has a cost of living 10.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulsa, OK has a cost-of-living index of 89.214 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,945 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,951 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.09% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,870
2025 BLS Actual
$55,813
2026 Current Est.
$57,945
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tulsa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,540 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,813 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,945 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,159 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulsa metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 33.3% from $41,870 (2019) to $55,813 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,159 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,289 (43.68%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulsa 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) | $36,661 – $43,585 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,585 – $57,945 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,945 – $71,891 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,891 – $77,316 |
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 Tulsa
With approximately 1,620 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently working in Tulsa, the local job market demonstrates a healthy demand for talent. The cost of living index in Tulsa is 89.214, indicating a lower-than-average financial strain for residents, which positively impacts take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include major residential service companies like One Hour Heating & Air and the commercial HVAC sectors supporting hospitals and schools. Salaries can greatly vary based on expertise, with specialty skills in commercial controls or data center operations yielding higher pay than general residential services. To maximize earnings in Tulsa, HVAC professionals should pursue certifications such as NATE or brand-specific credentials while considering opportunities in high-demand niches like heat pump installation, fueled by IRA tax credits and increasing market demands for sustainable HVAC solutions.
More salary data for Tulsa, OK:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Tulsa, OK in 2026?
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tulsa?
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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 $55,813 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Tulsa 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