Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Missoula, MT: $28.56 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Missoula, MT runs $28.56 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,414 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Missoula's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.61 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,644 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Missoula, Montana, the projected hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers sits at $28.56. This is slightly lower than the national median of $28.93, indicating that while the pay is competitive, there's room for improvement. For those working part-time, such as in residential service roles or on commercial projects, earning this hourly rate can translate into solid income, particularly for workers on 3-day schedules. This profession has a wide hourly range, with entry-level positions starting at approximately $21.10 and seasoned professionals earning up to $35.97 per hour. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data allows workers to understand the financial landscape of the trade in Missoula, especially in typical work settings like service truck routes for homes, commercial installations, and refrigeration units.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.10 | $168.77 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.88 | $183.06 |
| Median (P50) | $28.56 | $228.49 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.64 | $277.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $35.97 | $287.79 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Missoula
Based on $28.56/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.56/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Missoula, MT can expect to earn approximately $59,407 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,273. With a cost-of-living index of 96.44 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Missoula.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Missoula
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,142.44 | $4,951 | $59,407 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $685.46 | $2,970 | $35,644 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $456.97 | $1,980 | $23,763 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Missoula) | $28.56 |
| 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 Missoula, MT earn a median of $59,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.26% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.20% below the Montana state average of $61,378.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.56/hr = $35,644/year (purchasing power: $36,958).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,407/year (purchasing power: $61,596).
CoL index: 96.445 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.91/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.56/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Missoula (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.91/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.99/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.01/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.56/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.65/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 Missoula grew 25.6% from $21.91/hr (2019) to $27.51/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.65/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 Missoula 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 Missoula
Taking into account the potential for part-time schedules, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working three days a week can expect to bring home around $43,000 annually, significantly less than a full-time worker, which may lead some techs to seek per diem opportunities. Per-diem roles often compensate from $30 to $55 per hour, with daily allowances ranging from $80 to $150 for travel work on commercial and industrial projects. The pay structure greatly varies depending on employer type; for instance, residential service companies often have commission structures that can boost earnings in high-demand markets, while commercial HVAC typically provides steadier hours but without the same commission incentives. For those in Missoula negotiating their hourly pay, balancing the need for benefits against potential higher earnings without them is essential, while understanding that some industries, especially those focused on data center operations or specialized refrigeration, might offer premium rates based on the urgency and technical requirements of the tasks performed.
More salary data for Missoula, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Missoula in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Missoula?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Missoula paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Missoula?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Missoula?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Montana
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 Missoula. 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