Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Burlington, VT: $67,492 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Burlington, VT earns a median $67,492/year (≈ $32.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Burlington's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.9), that paycheck buys what $66,858 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% above the Vermont state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Burlington, Vermont, the upward trend in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary has gained several dynamics, particularly in light of the heat pump installation surge fueled by IRA tax credits. Projected for 2026, the median salary is set at $67,492, placing it notably above the national average of $60,174, revealing an attractive opportunity for local technicians. Salaries in Burlington range from $50,213 to $94,536, depending on experience and specialization, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. This promising salary outlook indicates a thriving job market for skilled technicians as the demand for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration services continues to grow alongside efforts to adopt energy-efficient technologies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,213 | $24.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,710 | $28.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,492 | $32.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,551 | $38.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,536 | $45.45 |
Median Salary Position
12.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Burlington
In Burlington, VT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,323 (2026 est.). At $67,492, the local median is 12.16% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Burlington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Burlington Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Burlington median: $67,492/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Burlington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $59,152 | +14.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +12.16% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Burlington, VT earn a median of $67,492 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.16% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 14.10% above the Vermont state average of $59,152.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Burlington has a cost of living 0.95% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Burlington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 100.949 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,492 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,858 — a 0.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,650
2025 BLS Actual
$65,009
2026 Current Est.
$67,492
2019–2027 Growth
+25.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Burlington (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 | $65,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,009 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,492 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,071 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Burlington metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 16.8% from $55,650 (2019) to $65,009 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,071 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,421 (25.91%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Burlington 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) | $50,213 – $59,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,710 – $67,492 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,492 – $80,551 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,551 – $94,536 |
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 Burlington
With 480 mechanics and installers currently employed in the area, Burlington's local job market is both competitive and supportive, catering to diverse training and professional backgrounds, including EPA Section 608 certification. The cost of living in Burlington, reflected in a CoL index of 100.949, indicates that while salaries are strong, the corresponding take-home pay must also account for higher living expenses. Employers offering the most lucrative positions include both residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors, with the latter often providing salaried roles with less variance compared to commission-driven residential services. Factors driving the salary range include the specialization in sectors like data center cooling, potential on-call pay for those in residential roles, and the added advantage of state licensing for contractors. Maximizing earning potential in Burlington may involve gaining additional certifications such as NATE or expertise in residential heat pump technologies, allowing technicians to position themselves favorably in this evolving market.
More salary data for Burlington, VT:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Burlington, VT
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Burlington, VT
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Burlington, VT
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Burlington, VT in 2026?
Is Burlington, VT 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 Burlington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Burlington?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Burlington?
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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 $65,009 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Burlington 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