Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Pewaukee, WI: $57,645 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Pewaukee, WI earns a median $57,645/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Pewaukee's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.7% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Pewaukee, Wisconsin, is projected to have a median annual income of $57,645, slightly below the national median of $60,174. The salary range varies significantly from $39,365 at the lower end (P10) to $81,930 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the disparity between those in residential services and those employed in commercial or industrial applications such as data centers. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, these figures incorporate local cost adjustments, indicating a competitive but nuanced job market for HVAC professionals in Pewaukee.
About the Pewaukee Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,365 | $18.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,035 | $22.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,645 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,605 | $33.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,930 | $39.39 |
Median Salary Position
4.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pewaukee
In Pewaukee, WI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $42,565 (2026 est.). At $57,645, the local median is 4.2% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pewaukee: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pewaukee Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Pewaukee median: $57,645/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pewaukee Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $60,488 | -4.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.20% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Pewaukee, WI earn a median of $57,645 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.20% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.70% below the Wisconsin state average of $60,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pewaukee has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pewaukee, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,645 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,718 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,348
2025 BLS Actual
$55,524
2026 Current Est.
$57,645
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Pewaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,348 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,041 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,769 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,148 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,176 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,524 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,645 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,847 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pewaukee metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,348 (2019) to $55,524 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,847 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,499 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pewaukee 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) | $39,365 – $46,035 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,035 – $57,645 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,645 – $70,605 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,605 – $81,930 |
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 Pewaukee
Analyzing the current job market reveals that only four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Pewaukee, highlighting a niche sector with a blend of challenges and opportunities. With a cost-of-living index of 93.4, which is below the national average, the salary earned locally could stretch further, impacting take-home purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations where specialized skills are in demand. The pay scale can vary widely; those working in residential service roles may earn less unless they capitalize on commission structures that can lead to higher earnings. Familiarity with EPA Section 608, gaining brand-specific certifications like NATE, and participating in the growing heat pump market can enhance earning potential. For those seeking to maximize pay, pursuing additional certifications and specializing in commercial systems or precision cooling can provide significant advantages in Pewaukee’s evolving HVAC landscape.
More salary data for Pewaukee, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Pewaukee, WI in 2026?
Is Pewaukee, 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 Pewaukee?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Pewaukee?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Pewaukee?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $55,524 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Pewaukee 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 Pewaukee 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