Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Vermont: $66,676 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Vermont's 9 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $66,676/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Vermont sits at BEA RPP 103.5 (4% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $64,421 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: South Burlington ($65,339), Burlington ($65,009), Bennington ($54,609).
For heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Vermont, the average median salary is projected to be $66,675 in 2026, which is 10.8% higher than the projected national median of $60,174. The salary varies significantly across cities, with South Burlington leading at $67,835, while Montpelier offers the lowest at $54,493, resulting in a salary gap of $13,342. This difference is driven by factors such as local demand for HVAC services, cost of living, and the concentration of industry in specific areas. In Vermont, professionals in this field must adhere to state licensing requirements, which can influence job readiness and market entry. The demand for skilled technicians is expected to grow, with a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, indicating a steady need for HVAC services due to climate variability and evolving technology. Currently, there are about 520 individuals employed in this trade across nine metro areas. Besides South Burlington, other top-paying cities are Burlington at $67,492, Bennington at $56,695, Brattleboro at $56,054, and Essex Junction at $55,934. The job market appears favorable for aspiring technicians, given the anticipated growth and competitive salaries.
Vermont Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Vermont: $37,263 (lowest entry-level) to $101,861 (highest top earner)
Vermont vs National Average
Vermont heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 10.81% more than the national median (+$6,502/year difference).
Vermont Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Vermont range from $49,350 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $93,699 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,676. The Vermont median is $6,502 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $32.05/hr. Approximately 520 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 9 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$55,650
2025 BLS Actual
$64,222
2026 Current Est.
$66,676
2019–2027 Growth
+24.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Vermont (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,650 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,270 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,120 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,905 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,222 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,676 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,223 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Vermont metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 15.4% from $55,650 (2019) to $64,222 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,223 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,573 (24.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Vermont 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Vermont
Lowest Paying Cities in Vermont
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | $54,493 |
| Colchester | $54,768 |
| Rutland | $54,830 |
| Barre | $55,858 |
| Essex Junction | $55,934 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Vermont
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Vermont cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | $67,492 | 100.949 | $66,858 |
| South Burlington | $67,835 | 103.5 | $65,541 |
| Bennington | $56,695 | 103.5 | $54,778 |
| Brattleboro | $56,054 | 103.5 | $54,158 |
| Essex Junction | $55,934 | 103.5 | $54,043 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Vermont
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $49,350 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $66,676 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $93,699 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Vermont metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 9 Cities in Vermont
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Burlington | $67,835 |
| 2 | Burlington | $67,492 |
| 3 | Bennington | $56,695 |
| 4 | Brattleboro | $56,054 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $55,934 |
| 6 | Barre | $55,858 |
| 7 | Rutland | $54,830 |
| 8 | Colchester | $54,768 |
| 9 | Montpelier | $54,493 |
More Vermont Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Vermont cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Vermont in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Vermont?
How does Vermont heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Vermont?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Vermont?
Which Vermont city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Vermont. State averages are employment-weighted across 9 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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