Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Nacogdoches, TX: $46,664 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Nacogdoches, TX earns a median $46,664/year (≈ $22.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Nacogdoches's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $48,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Nacogdoches, Texas, reaches $46,664, which is significantly lower than the national median of $60,174. The salary range for local professionals varies from $31,971 at the lower end (P10) to $69,779 (P90) for those at the top of the market. This data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS figures projected to 2026, highlights a local job market where commission structures, particularly for residential service work, often drive variable compensation upwards. Technicians in Nacogdoches are increasingly participating in sales-driven environments, allowing for potential earnings well beyond the median, especially as demand for energy-efficient heating solutions grows.
About the Nacogdoches Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,971 | $15.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,490 | $17.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,664 | $22.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,835 | $27.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,779 | $33.54 |
Median Salary Position
22.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Nacogdoches
In Nacogdoches, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,808 (2026 est.). At $46,664, the local median is 22.45% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Nacogdoches: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Nacogdoches Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Nacogdoches median: $46,664/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Nacogdoches Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,172 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -22.45% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Nacogdoches, TX earn a median of $46,664 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.45% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.10% below the Texas state average of $49,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Nacogdoches 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.
Nacogdoches, 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 $46,664 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $48,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,900
2025 BLS Actual
$44,947
2026 Current Est.
$46,664
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Nacogdoches (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,900 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,826 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,860 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,214 | Actual |
| 2024 | $51,023 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,947 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,664 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Nacogdoches metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $35,900 (2019) to $44,947 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,547 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Nacogdoches 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) | $31,971 – $36,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,490 – $46,664 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,664 – $57,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,835 – $69,779 |
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 Nacogdoches
On the job market side, there are currently 7 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Nacogdoches, which reflects the limited opportunities in this specific region. With a cost-of-living index of 96, Nacogdoches offers a lower overhead compared to national averages, which can enhance purchasing power for those in the trade. Employers typically span across residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and manufacturers of HVAC equipment, with residential service often yielding the highest earnings potential through commission and spiffs. The disparity in pay arises from varying specialties such as commercial controls and data center precision cooling versus residential service roles. To maximize compensation in Nacogdoches, technicians can pursue brand-specific certifications and consider transitioning into roles that take advantage of the current demand for heat pumps, particularly in light of valuable IRA tax credits that encourage energy efficiency.
More salary data for Nacogdoches, TX:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Nacogdoches, TX
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Nacogdoches, TX
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Nacogdoches, TX
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Nacogdoches, TX in 2026?
Is Nacogdoches, 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 Nacogdoches?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Nacogdoches?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Nacogdoches?
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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 $44,947 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Nacogdoches 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 Nacogdoches 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