Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT: $59,957 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Salt Lake City, UT earns a median $59,957/year (≈ $28.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Salt Lake City's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $59,441 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.7% above the Utah state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a median annual salary of $59,957, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Salt Lake City exceeds the national median of $60,174 by a marginal 0.36%. A salary range stretching from $37,844 for the lowest earners to $82,059 for those at the higher end captures the variability unique to this profession. Insights derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlight how commission structures and sales incentives can significantly influence earnings, especially in residential service roles where additional “spiffs” can supplement base pay. As Salt Lake City grows, the demand for skilled technicians is likely to remain strong, making it an appealing location for those in the HVAC field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,844 | $18.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,928 | $22.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,957 | $28.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,337 | $35.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,059 | $39.45 |
Median Salary Position
0.36% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salt Lake City
In Salt Lake City, UT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,215 (2026 est.). At $59,957, the local median is 0.36% below the national median of $60,174.
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How Salt Lake City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Salt Lake City median: $59,957/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salt Lake City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Utah Average | $54,656 | +9.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -0.36% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $59,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 9.70% above the Utah state average of $54,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salt Lake City has a cost of living 0.87% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salt Lake City, UT has a cost-of-living index of 100.868 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,957 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,441 — a 0.86% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,360
2025 BLS Actual
$57,751
2026 Current Est.
$59,957
2019–2027 Growth
+12.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,360 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,790 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,751 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,957 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,247 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 4.3% from $55,360 (2019) to $57,751 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,247 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,887 (12.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salt Lake City 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) | $37,844 – $46,928 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,928 – $59,957 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,957 – $74,337 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,337 – $82,059 |
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 Salt Lake City
The local job market is robust, with approximately 2,540 professionals working within this trade in Salt Lake City. The area's cost of living index of 100.868 shows that while it is slightly above the national average, it allows for adequate purchasing power for skilled workers. Employers that typically offer the highest wages include commercial contractors focused on industrial projects and data center operations, along with residential companies known for substantial commission structures. The disparity between lower and upper-tier compensation often stems from specialization in areas like data center cooling systems, experience with high-efficiency equipment, and certifications such as NATE or state contractor licenses. As the market evolves, professionals looking to maximize their pay can benefit from pursuing advanced certifications and focusing on high-demand specialties, particularly amidst the growing interest in heat pump installations driven by tax incentives.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Salt Lake City, UT
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Salt Lake City, UT in 2026?
Is Salt Lake City, UT 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 Salt Lake City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Salt Lake City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Salt Lake City?
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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 $57,751 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Salt Lake City 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