Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Janesville, WI: $58,951 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Janesville, WI earns a median $58,951/year (≈ $28.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Janesville's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.7), that paycheck buys what $62,913 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.6% below the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Janesville, Wisconsin, is estimated to be $58,951. This figure positions Janesville slightly below the national median salary of $60,174, reflecting a difference of 2.03%. Professionals in this field can expect to earn between $40,113 at the lower end of the spectrum and up to $90,029 for those in the highest-paying positions. Official BLS OEWS data indicates that the local HVAC market is evolving with the increasing demand for heat pump installations, driven by IRA tax credits, which is reshaping hiring trends. With around 150 HVAC technicians currently employed in the area, the job market demonstrates potential for growth and opportunities amid this changing landscape in Janesville.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,113 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,628 | $22.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,951 | $28.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,412 | $33.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,029 | $43.29 |
Median Salary Position
2.03% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Janesville
In Janesville, WI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,916 (2026 est.). At $58,951, the local median is 2.03% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Janesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Janesville Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Janesville median: $58,951/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Janesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $60,525 | -2.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.03% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Janesville, WI earn a median of $58,951 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.03% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.60% below the Wisconsin state average of $60,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Janesville has a cost of living 6.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Janesville, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.703 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,951 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,913 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,230
2025 BLS Actual
$56,782
2026 Current Est.
$58,951
2019–2027 Growth
+15.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Janesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,230 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,290 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,300 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,060 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,951 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,203 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Janesville metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 6.7% from $53,230 (2019) to $56,782 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,203 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,973 (14.98%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Janesville 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) | $40,113 – $47,628 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,628 – $58,951 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,951 – $70,412 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,412 – $90,029 |
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 Janesville
Examining the local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers reveals a competitive environment, particularly with the cost-of-living index sitting at 93.703, indicating a lower-than-average financial strain. This favorable index can enhance purchasing power for technicians in Janesville compared to higher-cost regions. Employers such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors are key players on the local scene, with pay differences driven by specialization in areas such as data center precision cooling or the commercial controls sector. Those seeking to maximize pay in Janesville should consider obtaining state contractor licenses and brand-specific certifications like NATE, as these credentials can lead to better-paying opportunities. Additionally, taking advantage of residential commissions or spiffs can propel earnings, especially amid a growing demand for heat pumps, making this an advantageous time for HVAC professionals to refine their skills and strategies within the evolving marketplace.
More salary data for Janesville, WI:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Janesville, WI
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Janesville, WI
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Janesville, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Janesville, WI in 2026?
Is Janesville, WI 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 Janesville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Janesville?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Janesville?
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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 $56,782 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Janesville 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