Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tacoma, WA: $77,684 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Tacoma, WA earns a median $77,684/year (≈ $37.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Tacoma's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $72,331 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tacoma, the projected median annual salary for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in 2026 is $77,684. This figure positions Tacoma significantly above the national median of $60,174, highlighting the local labor market's strength. Local salary ranges extend from $49,746 at the 10th percentile to $120,410 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse job market that accommodates varying levels of experience and specialization. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parities, reflect Tacoma's competitive landscape for HVAC professionals, driven by increasing demand for technicians capable of handling advanced technologies, including heat pumps and evolving refrigerants.
About the Tacoma Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,746 | $23.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,490 | $29.08 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,684 | $37.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,436 | $47.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,410 | $57.89 |
Median Salary Position
29.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tacoma
In Tacoma, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $70,664 (2026 est.). At $77,684, the local median is 29.1% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Tacoma: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tacoma Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Tacoma median: $77,684/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tacoma Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,205 | +9.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +29.10% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Tacoma, WA earn a median of $77,684 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.10% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 9.10% above the Washington state average of $71,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tacoma has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tacoma, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,684 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,331 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$59,765
2025 BLS Actual
$74,826
2026 Current Est.
$77,684
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tacoma (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,765 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,046 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,642 | Actual |
| 2022 | $63,028 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,276 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,144 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,826 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,684 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,652 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tacoma metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $59,765 (2019) to $74,826 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,652 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,887 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tacoma 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) | $49,746 – $60,490 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,490 – $77,684 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,684 – $99,436 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,436 – $120,410 |
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 Tacoma
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tacoma is robust, with about 56 professionals employed locally. The cost of living index in Tacoma stands at 107.4, suggesting that while salaries are favorable, take-home purchasing power must be carefully managed against higher living costs. Factors influencing pay disparities in this sector range from the type of employer—ranging from residential service companies like Carrier dealers and large multi-location franchises to commercial HVAC contractors serving industrial facilities and hospitals. Specialty skills, particularly in data center precision cooling and advanced HVAC controls, tend to attract higher wages, while a commission and spiff structure prevalent in residential services can lead to highly variable compensation. To maximize earnings in Tacoma, technicians should consider obtaining state contractor licenses, pursuing brand-specific certifications, and staying attuned to the opportunities presented by the expanding residential demand fueled by the heat pump installation boom and related tax credits.
More salary data for Tacoma, 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 $74,826 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Tacoma 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 Tacoma 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