Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Salt Lake City, UT: $28.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Salt Lake City, UT runs $28.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,957 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Salt Lake City's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.58 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,981 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Salt Lake City, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay is projected to reach $28.83 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $28.93, indicating competitive yet accessible wages within the region. For part-time workers, particularly those operating on a schedule of three days per week, this translates to about $1,740 monthly, a solid income for those balancing multiple jobs. Within the Salt Lake City market, the hourly range for mechanics and installers spans from $18.20 for entry-level positions to as much as $39.45 for the top earners. These positions often involve unique working environments, from residential service routes to complex commercial installations, where pay structures can significantly vary depending on the site and client needs, showing clear distinctions in the earning potential across different types of service.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.20 | $145.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.56 | $180.48 |
| Median (P50) | $28.83 | $230.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.75 | $285.96 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.45 | $315.61 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Salt Lake City
Based on $28.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.83/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Salt Lake City, UT can expect to earn approximately $59,968 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,597. With a cost-of-living index of 100.87 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Salt Lake City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Salt Lake City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,153.23 | $4,997 | $59,968 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $691.94 | $2,998 | $35,981 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $461.29 | $1,999 | $23,987 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Salt Lake City) | $28.83 |
| 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 Salt Lake City, UT earn a median of $59,957 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.36% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 9.70% above the Utah state average of $54,656.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.83/hr = $35,981/year (purchasing power: $35,671).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,968/year (purchasing power: $59,452).
CoL index: 100.868 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.61/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.77/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+12.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Salt Lake City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.61/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.84/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.35/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.90/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.39/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.77/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.93/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 Salt Lake City grew 4.4% from $26.61/hr (2019) to $27.77/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.93/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 Salt Lake City 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 Salt Lake City
Examining the earning potential in Salt Lake City reveals notable disparities between part-time and full-time jobs in this sector. A mechanic working part-time at 24 hours a week stands to earn approximately $20,880 per year, which is significantly lower than the earnings of full-time workers who may reach annual figures surpassing $59,957. For those pursuing temporary or per-diem positions, attractive rates exist, with travel HVAC technicians typically earning between $80 to $150 daily, alongside hourly pay ranging from $30 to $55. Residential service calls often result in minimum charges between $90 to $180. Self-employed contractors can command higher effective rates, with figures between $90 and $160, particularly during peak seasons. In Salt Lake City, compensation also varies greatly by employer; residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and specialty refrigeration firms each have distinct wage scales influenced by local demand and specialized skills. Many technicians may opt for lower hourly wages to secure benefits such as health insurance, an important consideration in a market where negotiating for higher pay without benefits can be complex. For those in the industry, understanding local labor trends can greatly aid in effective negotiation strategies, especially in a city undergoing rapid development and technological transitions in HVAC systems.
More salary data for Salt Lake City, UT:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salt Lake City, UT
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Salt Lake City in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Salt Lake City?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Salt Lake City paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per year in Salt Lake City?
Do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more per hour working part-time in Salt Lake City?
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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 Salt Lake City. 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