Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in La Crosse, WI: $61,544 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in La Crosse, WI earns a median $61,544/year (≈ $29.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in La Crosse's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.8), that paycheck buys what $67,064 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in La Crosse is projected to reach a median of $61,544, surpassing the national median of $60,174 by a margin of 2.28%. The salary range spans from $45,814 at the lower end (P10) to $93,609 at the upper end (P90), highlighting significant income potential within this trade. Citing data derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, this information reflects the local demand for HVAC professionals, showcasing the various compensation structures that can affect earnings. With a deepening emphasis on residential service work, commissions and spiffs often play a critical role in total compensation, enabling skilled technicians to augment their pay significantly while managing the pressures of sales performance.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,814 | $22.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $56,219 | $27.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,544 | $29.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,999 | $38.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,609 | $45.01 |
Median Salary Position
2.28% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in La Crosse
In La Crosse, WI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,795 (2026 est.). At $61,544, the local median is 2.28% above the national median of $60,174.
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How La Crosse Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
La Crosse median: $61,544/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | La Crosse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $60,516 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.28% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in La Crosse, WI earn a median of $61,544 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.28% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $60,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
La Crosse has a cost of living 8.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
La Crosse, WI has a cost-of-living index of 91.769 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,544 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,064 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.97% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,160
2025 BLS Actual
$59,280
2026 Current Est.
$61,544
2019–2027 Growth
+-1.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,280 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,544 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,895 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the La Crosse metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew -9.0% from $65,160 (2019) to $59,280 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,895 by 2027 — a total increase of $-1,265 (-1.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the La Crosse 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) | $45,814 – $56,219 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $56,219 – $61,544 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,544 – $79,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,999 – $93,609 |
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 La Crosse
As of now, La Crosse employs about 270 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which indicates a stable job market for technicians in the region. The cost of living index, currently at 91.769, suggests that residents can enjoy a relatively affordable lifestyle, enhancing take-home pay. For those seeking higher salaries, commercial HVAC contractors and specialty firms focusing on refrigeration can offer competitive compensation. Additionally, areas such as data center HVAC operations usually provide salaried positions with fewer variable components than residential service roles. The distinction in pay often stems from the specialty required, potential commissions, and degrees of technical proficiency, with state contractor licenses and brand-specific certifications playing a notable role. To maximize earnings in La Crosse, technicians should pursue advanced training, cultivate relationships with diverse employers, and stay informed about emerging technologies and market demands, such as the rising trend in heat pump installations.
More salary data for La Crosse, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in La Crosse, WI in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in La Crosse?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in La Crosse?
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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 $59,280 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the La Crosse 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