Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Puerto Rico: $31,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Puerto Rico's 4 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $31,552/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Puerto Rico sits at BEA RPP 75.0 (25% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $42,069 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: San Juan ($30,761), Ponce ($28,472), Mayaguez ($28,054).
In Puerto Rico, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect an average median salary of $31,552 in 2026. This figure is significantly lower than the national median salary of $60,174, representing a salary gap of 47.6%. The highest-paying city in the territory is San Juan, where mechanics and installers earn approximately $31,936, while Arecibo offers the lowest salaries at $28,740, contributing to a difference of $3,196 between the two locations. Variations in pay can be attributed to the cost of living, local demand for services, and concentration of businesses in urban areas like San Juan compared to more rural regions. Professionals in Puerto Rico must adhere to state-specific licensing requirements and regulations that govern their scope of practice. This ensures a skilled workforce but may also impact the number of service providers available. The demand for HVAC services is driven by factors such as energy efficiency upgrades and increased reliance on climate control systems in both residential and commercial sectors. Currently, there are around 1,070 individuals employed in this field, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, indicating a steady demand for mechanics and installers in the coming years. The overall job market remains stable, offering various opportunities in both urban and suburban settings across the island.
Puerto Rico Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Puerto Rico: $21,541 (lowest entry-level) to $47,224 (highest top earner)
Puerto Rico vs National Average
Puerto Rico heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 47.57% less than the national median ($-28,622/year difference).
Puerto Rico Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Puerto Rico range from $23,560 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $46,449 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $31,552. The Puerto Rico median is $28,622 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $15.17/hr. Approximately 1,070 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 4 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$24,479
2025 BLS Actual
$30,391
2026 Current Est.
$31,552
2019–2027 Growth
+33.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Puerto Rico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24,479 | Actual |
| 2020 | $25,797 | Actual |
| 2021 | $23,138 | Actual |
| 2022 | $24,062 | Actual |
| 2023 | $27,679 | Actual |
| 2024 | $29,004 | Actual |
| 2025 | $30,391 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32,757 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puerto Rico metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 24.1% from $24,479 (2019) to $30,391 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $32,757 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,278 (33.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puerto Rico 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 4 Highest Paying Cities in Puerto Rico
Salary by Experience Level in Puerto Rico
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $23,560 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $31,552 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $46,449 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Puerto Rico metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 4 Cities in Puerto Rico
More Puerto Rico Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Puerto Rico?
How does Puerto Rico 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 Puerto Rico?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Puerto Rico?
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 Puerto Rico. State averages are employment-weighted across 4 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