Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $58,724 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $58,724/year (≈ $28.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $59,230 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlottesville, Virginia, the predicted median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $58,724 in 2026, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the national median of $60,174. This salary typically falls within a wide range, from $42,519 at the entry-level (P10) to $75,806 for more experienced professionals at the 90th percentile (P90). The data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), highlights the significant distinctions between commercial and residential service roles, which can notably affect compensation levels. As the Charlottesville market is home to diverse HVAC demands, the potential for higher earnings is often found in commercial settings, particularly data centers and large-scale industrial clients, rather than in residential service alone.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,519 | $20.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,348 | $23.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,724 | $28.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,500 | $31.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,806 | $36.44 |
Median Salary Position
2.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,287 (2026 est.). At $58,724, the local median is 2.41% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $58,724/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $58,315 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.41% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $58,724 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.41% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.70% above the Virginia state average of $58,315.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,724 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,230 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,560
2025 BLS Actual
$56,563
2026 Current Est.
$58,724
2019–2027 Growth
+40.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,560 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,980 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,563 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,724 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,967 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 29.9% from $43,560 (2019) to $56,563 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,967 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,407 (39.96%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $42,519 – $48,348 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,348 – $58,724 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,724 – $65,500 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,500 – $75,806 |
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 Charlottesville
The local job market features approximately 420 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, illustrating a steady demand for these professionals. With a cost of living index of 99.146, compensation in Charlottesville provides a relatively stable purchasing power for technicians compared to other regions. Employers in categories such as commercial HVAC contractors, particularly those servicing industrial buildings and critical facilities, typically offer more lucrative pay structures than residential service companies, whose commission-based compensation can vary widely based on individual performance and spiff structures. Factors such as specialty skills in data center precision cooling, on-call rotation premiums, and necessary certifications like NATE or state HVAC contractor licenses can significantly influence earning potential. For those looking to maximize their pay in Charlottesville VA, developing expertise in these niche areas and pursuing additional certifications could be key strategies to enhance income in a competitive market.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Charlottesville, VA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Charlottesville, VA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Charlottesville, VA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Charlottesville, VA in 2026?
Is Charlottesville, VA 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 Charlottesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Charlottesville?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Charlottesville?
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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 $56,563 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Charlottesville 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