Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Temple, TX: $48,548 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Temple, TX earns a median $48,548/year (≈ $23.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Temple's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $50,571 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Temple, Texas, the average compensation for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to reach an annual median salary of $48,548 in 2026. This figure represents a notable gap compared to the national median of $60,174, indicating a local market that may offer lower initial financial rewards. The expected salary range is quite broad, extending from $33,352 at the lower 10th percentile to as high as $75,250 for the top 90th percentile. The variability in pay can often be influenced by the commission structures prevalent in residential service companies, where mechanics may earn additional income through performance-based incentives linked to sales and service contracts.
About the Temple Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,352 | $16.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,229 | $18.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,548 | $23.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,834 | $29.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,250 | $36.18 |
Median Salary Position
19.32% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Temple
In Temple, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,898 (2026 est.). At $48,548, the local median is 19.32% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Temple: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Temple Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Temple median: $48,548/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Temple Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,188 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -19.32% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Temple, TX earn a median of $48,548 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.32% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% below the Texas state average of $49,188.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Temple 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.
Temple, 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 $48,548 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,571 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,350
2025 BLS Actual
$46,762
2026 Current Est.
$48,548
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Temple (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,350 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,775 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,389 | Actual |
| 2023 | $43,918 | Actual |
| 2024 | $52,786 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,762 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,548 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,403 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Temple metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $37,350 (2019) to $46,762 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,403 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,053 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Temple 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) | $33,352 – $39,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,229 – $48,548 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,548 – $61,834 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,834 – $75,250 |
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 Temple
Looking ahead, the job market in Temple for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is characterized by relatively low employment numbers, with only 14 professionals currently in the sector. The local cost of living index, which stands at 96, suggests an affordability edge when evaluating take-home pay. While residential service companies such as One Hour Heating & Air and ARS / Rescue Rooter typically offer competitive wages, higher incomes may be found in specialized commercial sectors such as data center HVAC operations or specialized refrigeration positions. The spread in salaries often correlates with factors such as specialty skillsets, including knowledge of newer technology like precision cooling and heat pumps, and the inclusion of on-call premiums or commission spiffs for residential service. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Temple, pursuing certifications such as NATE or brand-specific credentials can provide a distinct advantage, coupled with expertise in emerging HVAC technologies supported by recent tax credits.
More salary data for Temple, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Temple, TX in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Temple?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Temple?
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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 $46,762 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Temple 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 Temple 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