Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Lacey, WA: $74,598 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Lacey, WA earns a median $74,598/year (≈ $35.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Lacey's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $69,458 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Lacey, Washington, the rise of heat pump installations, fueled by IRA tax credits, is transforming the job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. Projected data for 2026 indicates a median annual salary of $74,598, significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, highlighting the competitive compensation within the region. The salary range for this role spans from $51,171 at the 10th percentile to $115,626 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity of skills and experience in the local workforce. These estimates are drawn from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. Growing demand in Lacey represents an opportunity for professionals to capitalize on higher pay amidst a dynamic labor market.
About the Lacey Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $51,171 | $24.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,279 | $28.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,598 | $35.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,227 | $44.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,626 | $55.59 |
Median Salary Position
23.97% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lacey
In Lacey, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,455 (2026 est.). At $74,598, the local median is 23.97% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Lacey: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Lacey Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Lacey median: $74,598/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lacey Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,181 | +4.80% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +23.97% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Lacey, WA earn a median of $74,598 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.97% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 4.80% above the Washington state average of $71,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lacey has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lacey, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,598 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,458 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,391
2025 BLS Actual
$71,853
2026 Current Est.
$74,598
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Lacey (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,391 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,581 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,273 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,523 | Actual |
| 2023 | $67,484 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,818 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,853 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,598 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,447 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lacey metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $57,391 (2019) to $71,853 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,447 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,056 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lacey 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) | $51,171 – $60,279 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,279 – $74,598 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,598 – $92,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,227 – $115,626 |
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 Lacey
With just 12 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Lacey, the local job market is tight, which may contribute to favorable salary trends. The cost-of-living index at 107.4 indicates that dollars stretch less far than the national average, underscoring the need for competitive compensation to ensure a comfortable lifestyle. Leading employers in the area, including residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors, are known to offer attractive packages, especially those specializing in precision cooling for data centers or working with larger franchises. The variance in pay can be driven by niche expertise, such as experience with advanced commercial controls or the demand for specialists in heat pump installations. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this Lacey market, seeking work with reputable residential service companies, pursuing brand-specific certifications like NATE, and embracing on-call opportunities can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Lacey, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $71,853 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Lacey 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
Salary data for Lacey is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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