Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Whitewater, WI: $57,404 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Whitewater, WI earns a median $57,404/year (≈ $27.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Whitewater's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $61,460 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Whitewater, Wisconsin are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,404. The salary range in this field extends from $38,787 at the lowest decile to as high as $86,526 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for local economic conditions, reflect the ongoing demand for skilled technicians amid a notable increase in heat pump installations driven by IRA tax credit incentives. The push for energy-efficient systems is reshaping hiring patterns in Whitewater, balancing the dynamic between residential and commercial service demands while maintaining a competitive market for skilled technicians.
About the Whitewater Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,787 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,542 | $21.90 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,404 | $27.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $68,808 | $33.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,526 | $41.60 |
Median Salary Position
4.6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Whitewater
In Whitewater, WI, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,739 (2026 est.). At $57,404, the local median is 4.6% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Whitewater: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Whitewater Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Whitewater median: $57,404/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Whitewater Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $60,489 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.60% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Whitewater, WI earn a median of $57,404 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.60% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.10% below the Wisconsin state average of $60,489.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Whitewater 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.
Whitewater, 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 $57,404 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,460 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,163
2025 BLS Actual
$55,292
2026 Current Est.
$57,404
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Whitewater (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,163 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,849 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,072 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,574 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,930 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,945 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,292 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,404 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,597 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Whitewater metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,163 (2019) to $55,292 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,597 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,434 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Whitewater 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) | $38,787 – $45,542 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,542 – $57,404 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,404 – $68,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $68,808 – $86,526 |
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 Whitewater
Employment within this niche market appears stable, with only four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently working in Whitewater. Despite the modest number, the local cost of living index, at 93.4, offers a relatively low-cost environment that can enhance take-home pay, making it an appealing area for technicians. Among local employers, residential service companies frequently offer higher pay, particularly those focusing on heat pump installations, driven by the unique commission structures that reward successful sales and installations. The variation in salaries is influenced by specialty areas, such as data center precision cooling or advanced commercial controls, which tend to command higher pay due to their complexity. To maximize potential earnings in Whitewater, technicians should consider obtaining certifications such as NATE or state contractor licenses and explore opportunities within high-demand sectors, including the growing field of energy-efficient residential services.
More salary data for Whitewater, WI:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Whitewater, WI
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Whitewater, WI
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Whitewater, WI
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Whitewater, WI in 2026?
Is Whitewater, 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 Whitewater?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Whitewater?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Whitewater?
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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 $55,292 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Whitewater 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 Whitewater 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