Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Richland, WA: $76,178 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Richland, WA earns a median $76,178/year (≈ $36.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Richland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $70,929 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richland, Washington, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is projected to reach a median of $76,178 in 2026. This figure positions local professionals significantly ahead of the national median of $60,174, reflecting a robust market for skilled workers in the HVAC sector. Compensation in this field varies, with estimates ranging from $49,779 at the 10th percentile to $116,278 for those at the 90th percentile. These figures, sourced from estimates derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional cost variations, illustrate the potential for earning well above average, particularly for those who engage in residential service commissions, where achieving higher pay through spiffs and sales is commonplace in the competitive landscape of Richland's HVAC market.
About the Richland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,779 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,640 | $28.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,178 | $36.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,227 | $45.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $116,278 | $55.91 |
Median Salary Position
26.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richland
In Richland, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $66,499 (2026 est.). At $76,178, the local median is 26.6% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richland Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Richland median: $76,178/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,194 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +26.60% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Richland, WA earn a median of $76,178 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.60% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 7.00% above the Washington state average of $71,194.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $76,178 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,929 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,606
2025 BLS Actual
$73,375
2026 Current Est.
$76,178
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Richland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,606 | Actual |
| 2020 | $60,843 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,486 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,805 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,913 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,979 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,178 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richland metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $58,606 (2019) to $73,375 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,482 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richland 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) | $49,779 – $59,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,640 – $76,178 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,178 – $95,227 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,227 – $116,278 |
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 Richland
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is relatively stable, with around 15 professionals employed in the area. Richland’s cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries may be higher than average, the purchasing power is moderated by living costs. Among employers, residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors are likely to provide the most competitive wages, particularly those specializing in new technologies like heat pumps and precision cooling systems for data centers. To maximize earning potential, technicians should consider acquiring relevant state-limited contractor licenses and brand-specific certifications like NATE or those from major manufacturers. Additionally, engaging in on-call rotations can enhance earnings through premiums. As the HVAC industry adapts to the emerging demand driven by the IRA tax credits for heat pumps, strategic positioning within these specialty areas may be key to advancing one’s career in Richland, WA.
More salary data for Richland, 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 $73,375 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Richland 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 Richland 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