Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Virginia: $57,511 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Virginia's 42 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $57,511/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Virginia sits at BEA RPP 103.2 (3% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $55,728 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Alexandria ($67,747), Staunton ($59,233), Norfolk ($57,340).
In Virginia, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $57,511, which is approximately 4.4% below the national median of $60,174. The highest-paying city is Alexandria, where salaries reach $70,335, while Roanoke offers the lowest at $48,556, creating a significant gap driven by factors such as local demand for HVAC services, cost of living, and the presence of commercial and residential projects. Virginia's licensing requirements and scope of practice laws mandate that professionals in this field be properly certified, which can influence salary levels across different cities. The job market for this occupation is expected to grow at a rate of 3.82% annually, reflecting a steady demand for skilled mechanics and installers across the state. Key metropolitan areas projected to have competitive salaries include Staunton at $61,496, Norfolk at $59,530, Harrisonburg at $59,385, and Chesapeake at $58,883. Overall, this field presents a reliable career path in Virginia, supported by ongoing developments in residential and commercial infrastructures.
Virginia Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Virginia: $34,396 (lowest entry-level) to $109,019 (highest top earner)
Virginia vs National Average
Virginia heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 4.43% less than the national median ($-2,663/year difference).
Virginia Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Virginia range from $38,387 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $76,905 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $57,511. The Virginia median is $2,663 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $27.65/hr. Approximately 8,570 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 42 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,385
2025 BLS Actual
$55,395
2026 Current Est.
$57,511
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Virginia (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,385 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,958 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,232 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,466 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,895 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,727 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,395 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,511 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,708 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Virginia metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 16.9% from $47,385 (2019) to $55,395 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,708 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,323 (26.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Virginia 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 Virginia
Lowest Paying Cities in Virginia
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Roanoke | $48,556 |
| Blacksburg | $49,345 |
| Bristol | $49,390 |
| Radford | $50,207 |
| Falls Church | $53,775 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Virginia
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Virginia cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alexandria | $70,335 | 103.2 | $68,154 |
| Staunton | $61,496 | 91.128 | $67,483 |
| Lynchburg | $57,698 | 89.363 | $64,566 |
| Harrisonburg | $59,385 | 94.892 | $62,582 |
| Virginia Beach | $58,655 | 97.941 | $59,888 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Virginia
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,387 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $57,511 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $76,905 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Virginia metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 42 Cities in Virginia
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Alexandria | $70,335 |
| 2 | Staunton | $61,496 |
| 3 | Norfolk | $59,530 |
| 4 | Harrisonburg | $59,385 |
| 5 | Chesapeake | $58,883 |
| 6 | Newport News | $58,774 |
| 7 | Charlottesville | $58,724 |
| 8 | Virginia Beach | $58,655 |
| 9 | Richmond | $58,320 |
| 10 | Hampton | $58,255 |
| 11 | Centreville | $57,983 |
| 12 | Lynchburg | $57,698 |
| 13 | Burke | $57,591 |
| 14 | Suffolk | $57,342 |
| 15 | Tuckahoe | $57,179 |
| 16 | Ashburn | $57,097 |
| 17 | McLean | $57,093 |
| 18 | Reston | $57,032 |
| 19 | Danville | $57,021 |
| 20 | Fredericksburg | $56,776 |
| 21 | Dale City | $56,765 |
| 22 | Manassas | $56,703 |
| 23 | Salem | $56,546 |
| 24 | Leesburg | $56,465 |
| 25 | Portsmouth | $56,431 |
| 26 | Mechanicsville | $56,342 |
| 27 | Springfield | $56,143 |
| 28 | Woodbridge | $56,066 |
| 29 | Sterling | $55,957 |
| 30 | Lake Ridge | $55,884 |
| 31 | Linton Hall | $55,821 |
| 32 | Fairfax | $55,678 |
| 33 | Winchester | $55,479 |
| 34 | Waynesboro | $55,407 |
| 35 | Annandale | $55,333 |
| 36 | Williamsburg | $55,226 |
| 37 | Herndon | $54,630 |
| 38 | Falls Church | $53,775 |
| 39 | Radford | $50,207 |
| 40 | Bristol | $49,390 |
| 41 | Blacksburg | $49,345 |
| 42 | Roanoke | $48,556 |
More Virginia Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Virginia 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.
Compare Cities in Virginia
View all comparisons →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 Virginia in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Virginia?
How does Virginia 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 Virginia?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Virginia?
Which Virginia 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 Virginia. State averages are employment-weighted across 42 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