Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Derry, NH: $91,254 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers working in Derry, NH — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $91,254/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 49-9021. Strip back Derry's price premium (BEA RPP 107.3, 7% above national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $85,046 in average-cost America. The 55% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Derry, NH, the earnings potential for seasoned heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is significant, especially for top-tier professionals. In 2026, the highest earners in this field can expect to pull in an impressive annual salary of $91,254, indicating strong demand and value for highly skilled labor. This amount marks a considerable gap from the median annual salary of $58,873, highlighting the advantages of accumulated experience and specialized skills. Achieving this level of compensation often requires not only years of hands-on experience but also advanced certifications, continuous education, and possibly a focus on specialized services such as commercial HVAC systems or advanced refrigeration techniques.
About the Derry Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Derry
Experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers at the top of the pay scale in Derry earn between $74,959 and $91,254 per year (2026 est.). This $49,784 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Derry median of $58,873 sits 2.16% below the US median.
Top HACR Salary Comparison
| Level | Derry | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $58,873 | $60,174 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,959 | $76,004 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $91,254 | $93,905 |
In Derry, experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (P90) earn 55.00% 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 Derry
Advanced Certifications in New Hampshire
NH heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers with additional specialty certifications within the hvac field earn significantly above the $58,873 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Derry employers.
Specialty Focus
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the hvac field in Derry command premium compensation, often reaching the $74,959–$91,254 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Derry 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 Derry 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 New Hampshire 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 Derry
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
AdvancedDerry ranks #3 of 16 New Hampshire cities for top earner heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary (90th percentile: $91,254).
Top 10% heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation in Derry ($91,254) is 4.05% below the New Hampshire average P90 ($95,103).
2019 BLS Actual
$71,934
2025 BLS Actual
$87,896
2026 Current Est.
$91,254
2019–2027 Growth
+31.7%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Derry (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $71,934 | Actual |
| 2020 | $74,611 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,202 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,282 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,778 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,866 | Actual |
| 2025 | $87,896 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $91,254 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $94,740 | Projected |
Top-earning heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (90th percentile) in Derry saw their compensation grow 22.2% from $71,934 in 2019 to $87,896 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 $94,740 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Derry 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 Derry
Compensation in this profession varies considerably based on specialization and employer type within Derry. Notably, roles focused on commercial and industrial HVAC servicing, particularly in sectors like precision cooling for data centers or specific refrigeration services for supermarkets and food service, command higher salaries. Senior mechanics working for large commercial HVAC contractors or dedicated refrigeration firms tend to see more stable pay structures, with many receiving benefits unavailable to self-employed contractors. Pursuing advanced qualifications like NATE certification or brand-specific technical training can further elevate a candidate's earnings. Career advancement opportunities abound, where a technician may transition into leadership roles such as service manager, or pivot into sales functions like comfort advising, ultimately enhancing their income potential significantly. Additionally, market trends such as the growing demand for heat pump installations, driven by tax incentives and increasing energy efficiency requirements, present new lucrative avenues for experienced professionals in the HVAC sector.
More salary data for Derry, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Derry in 2026?
What drives higher heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Derry?
What certifications boost heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Derry?
Can experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make six figures in Derry?
How much does heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary increase over time in Derry?
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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 $87,896 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the Derry 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
Salary data for Derry 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