Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Great Falls, MT: $28.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Great Falls, MT runs $28.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,839 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Great Falls's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.71 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,903 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
The hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Great Falls, Montana, is projected at $28.77 in 2026. This figure is slightly lower than the national hourly median of $28.93. For those working part-time, such as three days a week, this rate provides an opportunity to earn approximately $1,380 per week, or around $67,800 annually if consistent hours are kept. This setting is applicable to various environments, including residential service routes and commercial mechanical rooms. Entry-level positions typically start at an hourly rate of $19.73, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $38.52, reflecting a diverse earnings potential within the field. This data comes from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), highlighting the growth and opportunities available in this essential industry.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.73 | $157.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.20 | $177.57 |
| Median (P50) | $28.77 | $230.15 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.36 | $282.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.52 | $308.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Great Falls
Based on $28.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.77/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Great Falls, MT can expect to earn approximately $59,839 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,522. With a cost-of-living index of 96.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Great Falls.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Great Falls
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,150.74 | $4,987 | $59,839 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.44 | $2,992 | $35,903 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.30 | $1,995 | $23,935 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Great Falls) | $28.77 |
| 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 Great Falls, MT earn a median of $59,839 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.50% below the Montana state average of $61,373.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.77/hr = $35,903/year (purchasing power: $37,073).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,839/year (purchasing power: $61,788).
CoL index: 96.845 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$30.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.71/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-2.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.73/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.71/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.87/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 Great Falls grew -9.5% from $30.61/hr (2019) to $27.71/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.87/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 Great Falls 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 Great Falls
For part-time workers in Great Falls, the annual earnings from working 24 hours a week can significantly differ from what full-time employees make. While a full-time mechanic may bring in an effective rate of $59,839 based on full-year work schedules, part-timers would earn far less annually. Per-diem options offer another feasible avenue, particularly for travel HVAC techs who can earn an additional $80 to $150 per day along with base pay ranging from $30 to $55 per hour on out-of-town projects. Self-employed contractors in high-cost areas have opportunities to earn between $90 and $160 per hour during busy months. The type of employer plays a crucial role in determining pay rates, with residential service companies often offering a different structure than commercial HVAC contractors. Workers must weigh the benefits carefully; those accepting lower hourly rates may receive health benefits while higher-paid roles could lack these additional perks. Negotiating hourly pay might involve emphasizing certifications such as EPA 608 and experience level to secure the best compensation.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Great Falls. 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