Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Franklin, TN: $58,729 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Franklin, TN earns a median $58,729/year (≈ $28.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $63,975 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 16.9% above the Tennessee state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, TN, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $58,729 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $60,174. The salary range in Franklin is quite broad, from $39,985 at the lower end to $91,029 at the higher end, indicating significant opportunities for advancement. These figures, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, reflect local economic conditions and the impact of regional price adjustments. For technicians working in commercial environments, such as data centers, the compensation can substantially increase compared to those focused on residential services, emphasizing the importance of choosing the right niche within the HVAC field in Franklin.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Tennessee average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,985 | $19.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,186 | $22.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,729 | $28.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,621 | $35.88 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,029 | $43.76 |
Median Salary Position
2.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, TN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,044 (2026 est.). At $58,729, the local median is 2.4% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Franklin median: $58,729/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,239 | +16.90% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.40% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Franklin, TN earn a median of $58,729 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.40% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 16.90% above the Tennessee state average of $50,239.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, TN has a cost-of-living index of 91.8 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,729 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,975 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,182
2025 BLS Actual
$56,568
2026 Current Est.
$58,729
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,182 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,907 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,089 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,128 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,690 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,568 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,729 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,972 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $45,182 (2019) to $56,568 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,972 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,790 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $39,985 – $47,186 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,186 – $58,729 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,729 – $74,621 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,621 – $91,029 |
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 Franklin
There are currently 18 professionals employed in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration roles in Franklin. With a cost-of-living index of 91.8, the take-home pay for these workers generally stretches further compared to urban centers. The highest salaries in the area tend to be offered by commercial HVAC contractors dealing with industrial clients and large healthcare facilities, as well as in data center operations that demand precision cooling expertise. Factors contributing to the variance in pay include specialty skills such as state contractor licensure and brand-specific certifications like NATE, along with the commission structures often seen in residential service companies that can drive high earners to substantial paychecks. With the growing demand for heat pump installations—driven in part by tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act—mechanics and installers in Franklin who stay current with training and licensing can maximize their earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Franklin, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $56,568 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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