Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Tucson, AZ: $55,302 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Tucson, AZ earns a median $55,302/year (≈ $26.59/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $57,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.1% below the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The current job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Tucson is becoming increasingly vibrant, particularly due to the growing interest in heat pump installations spurred by IRA tax credits. In 2026, the median annual salary in this field is projected to be $55,302, with a range extending from $35,556 at the 10th percentile to $74,820 at the 90th percentile. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS reports, reflects a competitive local atmosphere despite a national median that significantly outpaces it. The heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tucson can often vary based on experience, specialization, and employer type, showing a distinct reflection of market demands and local economic conditions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,556 | $17.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,969 | $21.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,302 | $26.59 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,006 | $28.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,820 | $35.97 |
Median Salary Position
8.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,264 (2026 est.). At $55,302, the local median is 8.1% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be above the median
How Tucson Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Tucson median: $55,302/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $56,488 | -2.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -8.10% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $55,302 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.10% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.10% below the Arizona state average of $56,488.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $55,302 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,074 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$43,340
2025 BLS Actual
$53,267
2026 Current Est.
$55,302
2019–2027 Growth
+32.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,340 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,050 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,267 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,302 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,414 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 22.9% from $43,340 (2019) to $53,267 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,414 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,074 (32.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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) | $35,556 – $43,969 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,969 – $55,302 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,302 – $60,006 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,006 – $74,820 |
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 Tucson
With approximately 1,380 individuals employed in this profession in Tucson, the job market showcases solid opportunities despite a cost-of-living index of 96.896, indicating affordability compared to the national average. Those seeking the highest compensation may find opportunities within commercial HVAC firms servicing industrial clients, hospitals, and large data centers, while residential service companies also compete vigorously, particularly for skilled technicians specializing in heat pumps. Factors contributing to pay disparities include the nature of the work, with data center HVAC technicians often enjoying salaried positions that include overtime, whereas commission structures at residential companies can lead to significantly higher earnings for in-demand skills. To maximize their heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Tucson AZ, workers would benefit from pursuing brand-specific certifications such as NATE, expanding into commercial controls, and considering roles that capitalize on state contractor licensing and specialization in high-demand sectors.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Tucson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Tucson?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Tucson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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 $53,267 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Tucson 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
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