Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Memphis, TN: $56,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Memphis, TN earns a median $56,002/year (≈ $26.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $60,754 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.4% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Memphis, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach a median of $56,002 in 2026, offering a substantial income for those in the trade. The salary range fluctuates from $38,288 at the lower end (P10) to $86,449 at the upper tier (P90), reflecting the varying levels of expertise, certification, and specialization within the field. These figures come from 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and reveal that while local salaries are competitive, they fall approximately 6.93% below the national median of $60,174 for the same year. This salary landscape indicates a vibrant job market for HVAC technicians in the area, driving individuals to hone their skills and explore niche specializations in order to enhance their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,288 | $18.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,701 | $22.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,002 | $26.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,486 | $34.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,449 | $41.56 |
Median Salary Position
6.93% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,161 (2026 est.). At $56,002, the local median is 6.93% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Memphis median: $56,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $50,271 | +11.40% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -6.93% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Memphis, TN earn a median of $56,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.93% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 11.40% above the Tennessee state average of $50,271.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $56,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,754 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.49% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,990
2025 BLS Actual
$53,941
2026 Current Est.
$56,002
2019–2027 Growth
+29.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,900 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,941 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,141 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.9% from $44,990 (2019) to $53,941 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,141 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,151 (29.23%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $38,288 – $46,701 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,701 – $56,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,002 – $71,486 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,486 – $86,449 |
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 Memphis
With around 1,740 professionals employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Memphis, the local job market exhibits strength amid a favorable cost of living index of 92.179. This figure means that residents generally enjoy a lower living expense compared to national averages, increasing their take-home purchasing power. Employers such as residential service companies (including notable franchises like One Hour Heating & Air) tend to offer higher compensation, especially through commission structures, often resulting in total earnings that can exceed $80,000 for motivated technicians. The disparity in salaries can be attributed to factors such as specialty services—particularly in commercial HVAC and precision cooling for data centers—and the impact of on-call rotations and certifications such as NATE and EPA Section 608. To maximize pay in Memphis, HVAC technicians should focus on acquiring brand-specific certifications and embracing opportunities in growing areas, like heat pump installations, fueled by federal tax credits.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Memphis, TN in 2026?
Is Memphis, 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 Memphis?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Memphis?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Memphis?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $53,941 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Memphis 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