Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Billings, MT: $77,720 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working in Billings, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $77,720/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 49-9021. Strip back Billings's price premium (BEA RPP 93.5, 6% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $83,100 in average-cost America. The 27% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Billings, the earning potential for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is quite robust, particularly for those who reach the higher echelons of the profession. With a median annual salary of $61,387 in 2026, the landscape offers significant financial incentives to seasoned professionals. Notably, top earners can anticipate an annual salary of up to $77,720, well above the national median of $60,174, highlighting the advantages of specialized experience and advanced certifications. The gap between the median and top-tier salaries signifies the value placed on expertise in this field, suggesting that seasoned individuals who pursue further specialization and align their skill sets with in-demand HVAC technologies can command enhanced pay, thereby solidifying their financial standing within an evolving industry.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
Experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers at the top of the pay scale in Billings earn between $76,310 and $77,720 per year (2026 est.). This $36,404 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Billings median of $61,387 sits 2.02% above the US median.
Top HACR Salary Comparison
| Level | Billings | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $61,387 | $60,174 |
| 75th Percentile | $76,310 | $76,004 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $77,720 | $93,905 |
In Billings, experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (P90) earn 26.61% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay in Billings
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with additional specialty certifications within the hvac field earn significantly above the $61,387 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Billings employers.
Specialty Focus
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the hvac field in Billings command premium compensation, often reaching the $76,310–$77,720 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Billings metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Billings with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Montana who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Career & Wage Growth Path in Billings
Clinical Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer
5-10 yearsHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedBillings ranks #6 of 7 Montana cities for top earner heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary (90th percentile: $77,720).
Top 10% heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation in Billings ($77,720) is 2.9% below the Montana average P90 ($80,042).
2019 BLS Actual
$69,700
2025 BLS Actual
$74,860
2026 Current Est.
$77,720
2019–2027 Growth
+15.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,130 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,494 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $80,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,740 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,860 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,720 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,689 | Projected |
Top-earning heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (90th percentile) in Billings saw their compensation grow 7.4% from $69,700 in 2019 to $74,860 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 3.82% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $80,689 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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.
Maximizing Your Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Earnings in Billings
When examining the factors that contribute to senior heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in MT, distinctions in specialization and employer type significantly shape compensation. Billings’ mechanics who focus on commercial or industrial HVAC systems, refrigeration for supermarkets, and advanced controls systems often command higher salaries due to increased technical demands. Different employers, from residential service companies like Carrier dealers to commercial HVAC contractors, also offer varied compensation structures; for instance, those in corporate HVAC operations may receive steady salaries complemented by overtime, while commission-driven roles in residential services can elevate income to over $80,000, contingent on sales performance and service volume. Advancing your career in this sector generally entails progressing from a service technician role to more supervisory positions such as service manager or even branching out as a self-employed contractor, where advanced credentials, including EPA Section 608 Universal certification and NATE certification, play a critical role in boosting earning potential.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Billings in 2026?
What drives higher heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Billings?
What certifications boost heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Billings?
Can experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make six figures in Billings?
How much does heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary increase over time in Billings?
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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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $74,860 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the Billings metro area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-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