Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Summerville, SC: $56,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Summerville, SC earns a median $56,044/year (≈ $26.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Summerville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $61,250 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the South Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With the growing emphasis on heat pump installations and the benefits provided by IRA tax credits, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Summerville, SC, is positioned at a promising median of $56,044 for 2026. This trend reflects a salary range that varies significantly from $38,250 at the lower end (P10) to $86,868 at the top (P90). These figures draw from local estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, specifically adjusted for regional cost of living factors. The emphasis on energy-efficient solutions is reshaping local hiring strategies, leading to a healthy demand for qualified technicians in Summerville's HVAC market.
About the Summerville Market
Salary estimated from South Carolina average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,250 | $18.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,098 | $21.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,044 | $26.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,737 | $34.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,868 | $41.77 |
Median Salary Position
6.86% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Summerville
In Summerville, SC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,618 (2026 est.). At $56,044, the local median is 6.86% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Summerville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Summerville Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Summerville median: $56,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Summerville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $57,246 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -6.86% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Summerville, SC earn a median of $56,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.86% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.10% below the South Carolina state average of $57,246.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Summerville has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Summerville, 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 $56,044 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,250 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,117
2025 BLS Actual
$53,982
2026 Current Est.
$56,044
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Summerville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,117 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,762 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,028 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,699 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,794 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,982 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,185 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Summerville metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,117 (2019) to $53,982 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,185 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,068 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Summerville 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) | $38,250 – $45,098 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,098 – $56,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,044 – $71,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,737 – $86,868 |
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 Summerville
Examining the local job market reveals that there are currently 12 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Summerville, which suggests a degree of stability. The cost-of-living index sits at 91.5, indicating that the relatively lower living expenses in the area can augment the take-home purchasing power for technicians. Companies that tend to pay the most include larger residential service providers and commercial HVAC contractors, where specialized skills in data center cooling, installation, and commercial controls can drive compensation considerably higher. Factors influencing the compensation range include the specialization of work, with positions involving precision cooling and state contractor licensing often yielding better pay. Technicians seeking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining brand-specific certifications, transitioning to commercial services, or exploring commission structures prevalent in residential service companies which could significantly enhance their overall compensation.
More salary data for Summerville, SC:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Summerville, SC
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Summerville, SC
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Summerville, SC
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Summerville, SC in 2026?
Is Summerville, SC a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Summerville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Summerville?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Summerville?
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 $53,982 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Summerville 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
Salary data for Summerville 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. · View source data at BLS.gov