Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lexington, SC: $54,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lexington, SC earns a median $54,066/year (โ $26.00/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lexington's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $59,089 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates ยท View source

The projected median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Lexington, South Carolina, is set at $54,066 for 2026. This figure reflects a competitive landscape, particularly when considering a salary range from $35,876 at the 10th percentile to $77,932 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional cost of living adjustments indicate that professionals in this field may experience earnings that vary significantly based on factors such as specialty and employer type. The impact of commission structures, especially within residential service companies, can lead to variable compensation that incentivizes higher performance, thereby enhancing overall earnings potential in Lexington's job market.
About the Lexington Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,876 | $17.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $42,588 | $20.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,066 | $26.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,587 | $31.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,932 | $37.47 |
Median Salary Position
10.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lexington
In Lexington, SC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,056 (2026 est.). At $54,066, the local median is 10.15% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lexington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lexington Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lexington median: $54,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lexington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $57,213 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -10.15% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lexington, SC earn a median of $54,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.15% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.50% below the South Carolina state average of $57,213.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lexington has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lexington, SC has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $54,066 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,089 in an average-cost city โ an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,595
2025 BLS Actual
$52,077
2026 Current Est.
$54,066
2019โ2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lexington (2019โ2027)
2019โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,595 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,183 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,510 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,866 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,910 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,213 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,077 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,132 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lexington metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $41,595 (2019) to $52,077 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,132 by 2027 โ a total increase of $14,537 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lexington metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 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) | $35,876 โ $42,588 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $42,588 โ $54,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,066 โ $65,587 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,587 โ $77,932 |
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 Lexington
In Lexington, the local job scene includes only five heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, suggesting a niche market that may provide unique opportunities for skilled workers. With a cost-of-living index of 91.5, the purchasing power in Lexington is favorable compared to national averages, translating to more disposable income for those in the field. Employers such as residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and large data center operations typically offer the highest salaries. The disparity in pay can stem from varying job responsibilities โ for instance, commercial roles often involve fixed salaries with overtime, in contrast to commission-heavy residential roles where technicians may earn substantially through spiffs and bonuses. To maximize earnings, technicians should consider pursuing specialty certifications like NATE or brand-specific credentials, enabling them to tap into the growing demand for heat pump installations linked to recent tax credits. Understanding both the dynamics of employer compensation and market trends will help HVAC professionals directly influence their earning potential in Lexington, SC.
More salary data for Lexington, SC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Lexington, SC in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Lexington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Lexington?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Lexington?
Related Pages
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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 $52,077 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lexington 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 (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Lexington is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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. ยท View source data at BLS.gov