Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Northport, AL: $46,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Northport, AL earns a median $46,519/year (≈ $22.36/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Northport's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $52,923 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the Alabama state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, the median annual salary for those in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer field in Northport, Alabama, is projected to be $46,519. This figure reflects local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional cost adjustments. Salary offerings in this profession range widely, with entry-level positions at approximately $30,251 and experienced technicians earning up to $69,359. Such a spectrum compensates for the variable commission structures often seen in residential service companies, where technicians can significantly boost their incomes through performance-based incentives tied to sales and customer satisfaction. In comparison to the national median of $60,174, Northport’s salaries illustrate local market dynamics that influence overall pay within the region’s HVAC sector.
About the Northport Market
Salary estimated from Alabama average ($48,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $30,251 | $14.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,176 | $17.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $46,519 | $22.36 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,426 | $27.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $69,359 | $33.35 |
Median Salary Position
22.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Northport
In Northport, AL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,108 (2026 est.). At $46,519, the local median is 22.69% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Northport: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Northport Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Northport median: $46,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Northport Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $47,663 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -22.69% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Northport, AL earn a median of $46,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.69% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.40% below the Alabama state average of $47,663.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Northport has a cost of living 12.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Northport, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.9 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $46,519 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,923 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.77% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$35,788
2025 BLS Actual
$44,807
2026 Current Est.
$46,519
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Northport (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $35,788 | Actual |
| 2020 | $37,154 | Actual |
| 2021 | $35,715 | Actual |
| 2022 | $37,742 | Actual |
| 2023 | $42,082 | Actual |
| 2024 | $41,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $44,807 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,296 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Northport metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $35,788 (2019) to $44,807 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,296 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,508 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Northport 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $30,251 – $36,176 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,176 – $46,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $46,519 – $57,426 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,426 – $69,359 |
HACR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Job Market in Northport
Currently, Northport has a modest number of employed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, with only five individuals working in this trade. While the cost-of-living index stands at 87.9, below the national average, it enhances the local take-home purchasing power, allowing for a more comfortable lifestyle despite the lower salary levels. Employers such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors offer the most competitive wages, particularly those specializing in data center operations or refrigeration solutions for supermarkets. The pay disparity is often affected by niche specialties, such as precision cooling and advanced controls, as well as pay structures that reward technicians based on on-call rotations or specific certifications like NATE and state contractor licensing. To maximize earning potential, those in Northport should consider acquiring additional qualifications in green technologies, such as heat pumps, which are increasingly in demand due to related federal credits aimed at encouraging energy-efficient installations.
More salary data for Northport, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Northport?
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $44,807 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Northport metropolitan area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Northport 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