Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oak Harbor, WA: $67,280 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Oak Harbor, WA earns a median $67,280/year (≈ $32.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Oak Harbor's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $62,644 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.5% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Oak Harbor, the projected 2026 median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $67,280, which surpasses the national median of $60,174 by 11.81%. This robust salary reflects a local market that values experienced technicians, with earnings ranging significantly from $44,983 at the 10th percentile to $96,867 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicating that Oak Harbor is a competitive area for this trade. The high demand for quality HVAC services in both residential and commercial sectors contributes to a landscape where skilled mechanics and installers can command strong compensation, especially as the industry evolves with new technologies and regulatory standards.
About the Oak Harbor Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,983 | $21.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,029 | $25.50 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $67,280 | $32.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,748 | $39.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,867 | $46.57 |
Median Salary Position
11.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oak Harbor
In Oak Harbor, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,884 (2026 est.). At $67,280, the local median is 11.81% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Oak Harbor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Oak Harbor Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Oak Harbor median: $67,280/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oak Harbor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,195 | -5.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +11.81% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Oak Harbor, WA earn a median of $67,280 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.81% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 5.50% below the Washington state average of $71,195.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oak Harbor has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oak Harbor, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $67,280 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,644 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,760
2025 BLS Actual
$64,804
2026 Current Est.
$67,280
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Oak Harbor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,736 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,654 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,586 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,863 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,280 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,850 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oak Harbor metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $51,760 (2019) to $64,804 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,850 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,090 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oak Harbor 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) | $44,983 – $53,029 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,029 – $67,280 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $67,280 – $81,748 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,748 – $96,867 |
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 Oak Harbor
Despite the attractive salaries, the local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers comprises only five employed professionals. This limited population highlights both the opportunities and the challenges within Oak Harbor's HVAC sector. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries are higher than average, the purchasing power may be somewhat diminished by everyday expenses. Leading employers include residential service companies, commercial contractors, and specialized refrigeration enterprises, with those in precision cooling and HVAC for data centers often offering the highest payscales. The variance in earnings can be attributed to factors such as specialty skills, commission structures, and the demand for heat pump installations driven by tax credits. To maximize earnings in Oak Harbor, technicians should consider gaining certifications such as NATE and pursue ongoing education in emerging technologies and refrigerants, which are reshaping the HVAC training landscape.
More salary data for Oak Harbor, WA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Oak Harbor, WA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oak Harbor, WA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Oak Harbor, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Oak Harbor, WA in 2026?
Is Oak Harbor, WA 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 Oak Harbor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Oak Harbor?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Oak Harbor?
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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 $64,804 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Oak Harbor 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 Oak Harbor 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