Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Rhode Island: $65,876 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Rhode Island's 17 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $65,876/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Rhode Island sits at BEA RPP 100.5 (1% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $65,548 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Warwick ($65,309), Providence ($64,011), Pawtucket ($55,277).
In 2026, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Rhode Island is projected to be $65,876, which is 9.5% higher than the national median of $60,174. The highest-paying city in the state is Warwick, with a salary of $67,804, while Central Falls has the lowest at $53,008, resulting in a significant salary gap driven by factors such as cost of living, local demand for HVAC services, and the absence of major employers in some areas. Rhode Island has specific state licensing requirements that affect job eligibility and practice, which may influence local employment levels. The demand for skilled mechanics and installers is driven by factors such as an aging infrastructure, climate considerations, and ongoing developments in energy efficiency technologies. The job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%, reflecting the ongoing need for HVAC services in residential and commercial settings. Key cities supporting this field include Warwick, with a salary of $67,804, and Providence at $66,456. Other locations like Pawtucket ($57,389), East Providence ($56,946), and West Warwick ($56,795) also contribute to the employment landscape, providing various opportunities for both entry-level and experienced professionals.
Rhode Island Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Rhode Island: $36,413 (lowest entry-level) to $105,096 (highest top earner)
Rhode Island vs National Average
Rhode Island heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 9.48% more than the national median (+$5,702/year difference).
Rhode Island Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Rhode Island range from $44,004 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $101,682 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,876. The Rhode Island median is $5,702 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $31.67/hr. Approximately 2,059 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 17 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,740
2025 BLS Actual
$63,452
2026 Current Est.
$65,876
2019–2027 Growth
+20.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Rhode Island (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,740 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,080 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,015 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,452 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,876 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,393 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Rhode Island metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 11.8% from $56,740 (2019) to $63,452 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,393 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,653 (20.54%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island
Lowest Paying Cities in Rhode Island
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Central Falls | $53,008 |
| Westerly | $53,652 |
| Bristol | $54,386 |
| South Kingstown | $54,535 |
| Cumberland | $54,678 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Rhode Island
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Rhode Island cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Warwick | $67,804 | 100.5 | $67,467 |
| Providence | $66,456 | 101.773 | $65,298 |
| Pawtucket | $57,389 | 100.5 | $57,103 |
| East Providence | $56,946 | 100.5 | $56,663 |
| West Warwick | $56,795 | 100.5 | $56,512 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Rhode Island
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $44,004 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,876 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $101,682 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Rhode Island metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 17 Cities in Rhode Island
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Warwick | $67,804 |
| 2 | Providence | $66,456 |
| 3 | Pawtucket | $57,389 |
| 4 | East Providence | $56,946 |
| 5 | West Warwick | $56,795 |
| 6 | Coventry | $56,528 |
| 7 | Cranston | $56,196 |
| 8 | Johnston | $55,556 |
| 9 | Woonsocket | $55,533 |
| 10 | Newport | $55,230 |
| 11 | North Providence | $55,119 |
| 12 | North Kingstown | $55,101 |
| 13 | Cumberland | $54,678 |
| 14 | South Kingstown | $54,535 |
| 15 | Bristol | $54,386 |
| 16 | Westerly | $53,652 |
| 17 | Central Falls | $53,008 |
More Rhode Island Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Rhode Island?
How does Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Rhode Island?
Which Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island. State averages are employment-weighted across 17 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