Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bastrop, TX: $46,959 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bastrop, TX earns a median $46,959/year (≈ $22.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bastrop's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $48,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, professionals working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bastrop, Texas, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $46,959, signaling a notable financial landscape compared to the national median of $60,174. The salary range here reflects a broad spectrum of pay, with the lowest 10% earning around $32,260 and the highest 90% making up to $68,677. These figures are informed by localized estimates from BLS state-level data, adjusting for regional price parities. The market in Bastrop is shaped by both its residential service requirements and the incentives that drive additional earnings through commission structures and spiffs, which can substantially influence annual take-home pay for technicians performing sales-related roles.
About the Bastrop Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $32,260 | $15.51 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,641 | $18.10 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,959 | $22.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,578 | $27.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $68,677 | $33.01 |
Median Salary Position
21.96% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bastrop
In Bastrop, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,417 (2026 est.). At $46,959, the local median is 21.96% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bastrop: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bastrop Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bastrop median: $46,959/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bastrop Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,172 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -21.96% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bastrop, TX earn a median of $46,959 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.96% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.50% below the Texas state average of $49,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bastrop has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bastrop, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $46,959 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$36,127
2025 BLS Actual
$45,231
2026 Current Est.
$46,959
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bastrop (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $36,127 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,506 | Actual |
| 2021 | $36,053 | Actual |
| 2022 | $38,099 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,481 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,345 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,231 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,959 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bastrop metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $36,127 (2019) to $45,231 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,626 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bastrop 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) | $32,260 – $37,641 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,641 – $46,959 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,959 – $57,578 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,578 – $68,677 |
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 Bastrop
The job market in Bastrop is relatively small, with only six technicians currently employed in the field, highlighting a niche environment for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The cost of living index for the area stands at 96, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which enhances the purchasing power for local workers. To maximize earning potential in this sector, focusing on specialized skills, such as data center precision cooling or obtaining brand-specific certifications like NATE, can lead to higher pay from commercial contractors or large HVAC operations. Additionally, understanding the commission structure prevalent in residential service companies can help technicians leverage on-call shifts and sales spiffs effectively, opening opportunities for increased income. With growth anticipated in sectors like heat pump installations driven by the IRA tax credits, now is a strategic time for those in Bastrop looking to advance their careers and financial outcomes in the HVAC services market.
More salary data for Bastrop, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Bastrop?
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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 $45,231 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bastrop 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 Bastrop 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