Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oregon: $62,547 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Oregon's 36 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $62,547/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Oregon sits at BEA RPP 102.6 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,962 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Hillsboro ($63,408), Portland ($61,997), Salem ($61,798).
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oregon are projected to earn an average median salary of $62,546, which is above the national median of $60,174 by 3.9%. The highest-paying city in Oregon is Hillsboro, with a salary of $65,830, while Grants Pass offers the lowest at $47,530. This gap of $18,300 can be attributed to regional demand, cost of living differences, and local industry investments. Oregon requires state licensing for HVAC professionals, which can affect the job market dynamics. Mechanics and installers must meet specific training and experience requirements to obtain licenses, adding value to their qualifications. The increasing demand for energy-efficient systems and environmentally friendly products is driving job growth, projected at an annual growth rate of 3.82%. As of 2026, there are 4,294 individuals employed in this field across Oregon. Other cities showing strong salaries include Portland at $64,365, Salem at $64,159, Corvallis at $62,846, and Gresham at $61,157, indicating a solid job market and various opportunities throughout the state. Overall, the outlook for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oregon appears strong, driven by ongoing technological advancements and regulatory changes.
Oregon Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Oregon: $36,880 (lowest entry-level) to $102,036 (highest top earner)
Oregon vs National Average
Oregon heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 3.94% more than the national median (+$2,373/year difference).
Oregon Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Oregon range from $46,532 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $92,743 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $62,547. The Oregon median is $2,373 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $30.07/hr. Approximately 4,294 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 36 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,213
2025 BLS Actual
$60,245
2026 Current Est.
$62,547
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oregon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,213 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,555 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,579 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,603 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,056 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,736 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,245 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,547 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,936 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oregon metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 20.0% from $50,213 (2019) to $60,245 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,936 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,723 (29.32%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oregon 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 Oregon
Lowest Paying Cities in Oregon
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Grants Pass | $47,530 |
| Milwaukie | $54,932 |
| Klamath Falls | $55,063 |
| The Dalles | $55,395 |
| Newberg | $55,993 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oregon
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Oregon cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hillsboro | $65,830 | 102.6 | $64,162 |
| Salem | $64,159 | 103.649 | $61,900 |
| Portland | $64,365 | 105.421 | $61,055 |
| Corvallis | $62,846 | 104.017 | $60,419 |
| Gresham | $61,157 | 102.6 | $59,607 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Oregon
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $46,532 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $62,547 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $92,743 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Oregon metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 36 Cities in Oregon
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hillsboro | $65,830 |
| 2 | Portland | $64,365 |
| 3 | Salem | $64,159 |
| 4 | Corvallis | $62,846 |
| 5 | Gresham | $61,157 |
| 6 | Bend | $60,312 |
| 7 | Beaverton | $59,416 |
| 8 | McMinnville | $59,255 |
| 9 | Eugene | $59,227 |
| 10 | Oregon City | $59,186 |
| 11 | Medford | $58,931 |
| 12 | Woodburn | $58,791 |
| 13 | Lake Oswego | $58,508 |
| 14 | Springfield | $58,462 |
| 15 | Forest Grove | $58,355 |
| 16 | Tigard | $58,110 |
| 17 | Redmond | $58,090 |
| 18 | Albany | $58,083 |
| 19 | West Linn | $57,923 |
| 20 | Tualatin | $57,423 |
| 21 | Pendleton | $57,418 |
| 22 | Wilsonville | $57,335 |
| 23 | Happy Valley | $56,842 |
| 24 | Hermiston | $56,685 |
| 25 | Central Point | $56,658 |
| 26 | Ashland | $56,654 |
| 27 | Keizer | $56,639 |
| 28 | Sherwood | $56,636 |
| 29 | Coos Bay | $56,541 |
| 30 | Roseburg | $56,335 |
| 31 | Canby | $56,303 |
| 32 | Newberg | $55,993 |
| 33 | The Dalles | $55,395 |
| 34 | Klamath Falls | $55,063 |
| 35 | Milwaukie | $54,932 |
| 36 | Grants Pass | $47,530 |
More Oregon Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Oregon 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 Oregon in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Oregon?
How does Oregon 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 Oregon?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Oregon?
Which Oregon 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 Oregon. State averages are employment-weighted across 36 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