Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Longview, WA: $63,517 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Longview, WA earns a median $63,517/year (≈ $30.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Longview's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $65,116 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.8% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Longview, Washington, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at $63,517 for 2026, marking a 5.56% premium over the national median of $60,174. The salary range for these professionals varies significantly, from $46,277 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,910 at the 90th percentile, based on data from the BLS OEWS surveys. This disparity reflects the structural divide within the industry, wherein technicians engaged in commercial or data center installations typically command higher pay relative to those focusing on residential service. Longview’s HVAC job market, with around 80 professionals currently employed in this sector, indicates a stable demand and opportunity for skilled workers, particularly as the city grows and adapts to evolving energy standards and technologies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,277 | $22.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,545 | $27.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,517 | $30.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,408 | $39.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,910 | $47.07 |
Median Salary Position
5.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Longview
In Longview, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,633 (2026 est.). At $63,517, the local median is 5.56% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Longview: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Longview Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Longview median: $63,517/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Longview Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,207 | -10.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +5.56% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Longview, WA earn a median of $63,517 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.56% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 10.80% below the Washington state average of $71,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Longview has a cost of living 2.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Longview, WA has a cost-of-living index of 97.545 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $63,517 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,116 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,980
2025 BLS Actual
$61,180
2026 Current Est.
$63,517
2019–2027 Growth
+64.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Longview (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,980 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,800 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,180 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,517 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,943 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Longview metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 53.0% from $39,980 (2019) to $61,180 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,943 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,963 (64.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Longview 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) | $46,277 – $56,545 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,545 – $63,517 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,517 – $81,408 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,408 – $97,910 |
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 Longview
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics in Longview features a cost of living index at 97.545, below the national average, translating to a more favorable take-home purchasing power for workers. Major employers in the area span residential service providers, commercial HVAC contractors, specialized refrigeration companies, and technical support for manufacturers, with pay varying widely due to factors such as service type and urgency. For instance, technicians involved in precise commercial setups often enjoy higher salaries, while those in residential roles may benefit from commission structures that can elevate pay substantially during peak seasons. The increasing focus on heat pump installations and the associated tax credits under the IRA create additional demand, especially for skilled technicians familiar with modern refrigerants and efficiency standards. To maximize earnings in the Longview market, professionals should pursue advanced certifications such as NATE, seek positions with reputable commercial contractors, and consider specializing in emerging HVAC technologies that align with current industry trends.
More salary data for Longview, 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 $61,180 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Longview 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