Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Johnson City, TN: $47,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Johnson City, TN earns a median $47,352/year (≈ $22.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $53,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Johnson City, TN, is $47,352 for 2026, reflecting a significant difference when compared to the national median of $60,174. Salary levels in this sector range from as low as $36,749 at the 10th percentile to an upper threshold of $69,090 at the 90th percentile, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. Those engaged in the commercial service sector, particularly in data centers, tend to earn more than their residential counterparts because of the specialized skills needed for areas such as precision cooling and commercial controls. As Johnson City's job market for HVAC professionals continues to grow, it is likely that these salary figures will align more closely with national trends in the coming years.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,749 | $17.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,659 | $21.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,352 | $22.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,833 | $28.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,090 | $33.22 |
Median Salary Position
21.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,341 (2026 est.). At $47,352, the local median is 21.31% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $47,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,268 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -21.31% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $47,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.31% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.80% below the Tennessee state average of $50,268.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $47,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $53,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,600
2025 BLS Actual
$45,610
2026 Current Est.
$47,352
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,240 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,490 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,480 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,610 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,161 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 4.6% from $43,600 (2019) to $45,610 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,161 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,561 (12.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $36,749 – $44,659 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,659 – $47,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,352 – $58,833 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,833 – $69,090 |
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 Johnson City
Given that there are currently 230 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Johnson City, the local job market remains relatively stable despite a cost-of-living index of 87.928, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living enhances take-home pay for HVAC professionals, allowing them to manage expenses more effectively. Employers that typically offer the best compensation packages include large commercial HVAC contractors and data center operations, which may offer salaries higher than those found in residential service companies. The disparity in pay in Johnson City can be attributed to various factors: specialties in high-demand tech such as heat pump installations driven by current tax credits tend to yield better pay, while commission structures at residential firms can lead to significant earnings but come with pressure and variability. To maximize income in this market, HVAC technicians should consider obtaining state contractor licenses, brand-specific certifications like NATE or Carrier Distinguished Dealer status, and actively pursuing advanced training in emerging refrigerant technologies.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Johnson City, TN
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Johnson City, TN
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Johnson City, TN
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Johnson City, TN in 2026?
Is Johnson City, TN 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 Johnson City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Johnson City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Johnson City?
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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 $45,610 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Johnson City 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
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