Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Indianapolis, IN: $29.48 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Indianapolis, IN runs $29.48 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,308 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Indianapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.7, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.81 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,797 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Indianapolis is projected to be $29.48, which is slightly above the national median of $28.93. This means that professionals in the field can earn a respectable wage while working various setups, including part-time hours, such as three days a week, or through per-diem work, which often involves servicing residential and commercial settings. The hourly pay range varies significantly, from $21.59 for entry-level positions to $46.82 for seasoned professionals at the top of the pay scale. This data, sourced from 2025 BLS OEWS, indicates a range of opportunities across environments such as service truck routes, mechanical rooms, and supermarket refrigeration cases.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.59 | $172.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.70 | $189.62 |
| Median (P50) | $29.48 | $235.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.67 | $333.39 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $46.82 | $374.58 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Indianapolis
Based on $29.48/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.48/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Indianapolis, IN can expect to earn approximately $61,329 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,382. With a cost-of-living index of 95.70 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Indianapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Indianapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,179.40 | $5,111 | $61,329 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $707.64 | $3,066 | $36,797 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $471.76 | $2,044 | $24,531 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Indianapolis) | $29.48 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Auto Service Technician (National Avg) | $24.83 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Indianapolis, IN earn a median of $61,308 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.88% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.30% above the Indiana state average of $59,349.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.48/hr = $36,797/year (purchasing power: $38,452).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,329/year (purchasing power: $64,087).
CoL index: 95.696 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.25/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.40/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.48/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+16.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Indianapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.25/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.21/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.40/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.48/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.61/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Indianapolis grew 8.2% from $26.25/hr (2019) to $28.40/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.61/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Indianapolis 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.
Working as an Hourly Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer in Indianapolis
Considering the aspect of part-time work, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working three days a week can take home an annual salary that falls well short of full-time earnings; they would be earning a fraction of what their full-time colleagues receive. Per-diem workers, who typically find themselves on out-of-town assignments, can expect daily per diem rates between $80 and $150, stacking this on top of hourly pay that ranges anywhere from $30 to $55. Factors influencing hourly rates differ significantly across types of employers. Technicians employed by residential service companies, like Carrier dealers or franchises, may accept lower rates for health insurance and job stability, while self-employed contractors can command higher rates but with variable income dynamics. In Indianapolis, HVAC professionals should keep in mind to negotiate for benefits that align with their career goals while being mindful of market rates and job offerings that best suit their needs.
More salary data for Indianapolis, IN:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Indianapolis, IN
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Indianapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Indianapolis?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Indianapolis paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Indianapolis?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Indianapolis?
Related Pages
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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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Indianapolis. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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