Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in El Paso, TX: $46,622 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in El Paso, TX earns a median $46,622/year (≈ $22.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in El Paso's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.9), that paycheck buys what $51,853 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.2% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer field in El Paso, TX, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $46,622. This figure is significantly lower than the national median of $60,174, reflecting a market where salaries can range from $27,745 at the lower end to $71,605 for the highest earners. As per estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, the compensation in this region appears competitive yet presents challenges for technicians. The presence of various residential service companies, alongside rising demand for heat pump installations due to recent federal tax incentives, motivates technicians to enhance their sales skills, as spiffs increasingly drive variable compensation in the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27,745 | $13.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,414 | $17.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,622 | $22.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $56,781 | $27.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,605 | $34.43 |
Median Salary Position
22.52% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in El Paso
In El Paso, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,860 (2026 est.). At $46,622, the local median is 22.52% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in El Paso: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How El Paso Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
El Paso median: $46,622/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | El Paso Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,180 | -5.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -22.52% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in El Paso, TX earn a median of $46,622 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.52% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.20% below the Texas state average of $49,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
El Paso has a cost of living 10.09% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
El Paso, TX has a cost-of-living index of 89.912 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $46,622 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,853 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.22% 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
$38,710
2025 BLS Actual
$44,907
2026 Current Est.
$46,622
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in El Paso (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,710 | Actual |
| 2020 | $30,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $40,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,907 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,622 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the El Paso metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 16.0% from $38,710 (2019) to $44,907 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,693 (25.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the El Paso 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) | $27,745 – $36,414 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,414 – $46,622 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,622 – $56,781 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $56,781 – $71,605 |
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 El Paso
The job market in El Paso supports around 790 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers who must consider the local cost of living index, which sits at 89.912, below the national average. This lower cost of living can aid purchasing power but also reflects the salary gap relative to larger markets. Key employers include well-known residential service companies like Carrier and Trane, commercial HVAC contractors, and precision cooling specialists in data centers, each offering varying pay levels. Technicians can maximize their earnings by focusing on specialized areas, such as commercial controls or earning brand-specific certifications like NATE. Additionally, familiarity with commission structures or negotiating for on-call rotation premiums can further influence earnings in this competitive field in El Paso.
More salary data for El Paso, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in El Paso, TX in 2026?
Is El Paso, TX 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 El Paso?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in El Paso?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in El Paso?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $44,907 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the El Paso 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