Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Santa Rosa, CA: $78,420 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Santa Rosa, CA earns a median $78,420/year (≈ $37.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Santa Rosa's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 107.8), that paycheck buys what $72,757 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Santa Rosa is projected to reach a median annual income of $78,420, significantly higher than the national median of $60,174. This rise is particularly influenced by the increasing demand for heat pump installations driven by IRA tax credits, which impact hiring necessity in the region. Salary ranges for local mechanics and installers extend from $48,525 at the 10th percentile up to $120,919 at the 90th percentile, reflecting varied expertise and certifications. The data presented is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, highlighting local opportunities for skilled tradespeople to capitalize on the burgeoning HVAC market in Santa Rosa, CA.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,525 | $23.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,397 | $29.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,420 | $37.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,958 | $47.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $120,919 | $58.13 |
Median Salary Position
30.32% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Santa Rosa
In Santa Rosa, CA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,394 (2026 est.). At $78,420, the local median is 30.32% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Santa Rosa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Santa Rosa Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Santa Rosa median: $78,420/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Santa Rosa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $68,730 | +14.10% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +30.32% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Santa Rosa, CA earn a median of $78,420 per year (2026 est.), which is 30.32% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 14.10% above the California state average of $68,730.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Santa Rosa has a cost of living 7.78% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Santa Rosa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 107.784 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,420 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $72,757 — a 7.22% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,370
2025 BLS Actual
$75,535
2026 Current Est.
$78,420
2019–2027 Growth
+44.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Santa Rosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,370 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,210 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,620 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,250 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,535 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,420 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,416 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Santa Rosa metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 34.0% from $56,370 (2019) to $75,535 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,416 by 2027 — a total increase of $25,046 (44.43%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Santa Rosa 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) | $48,525 – $61,397 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,397 – $78,420 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,420 – $97,958 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,958 – $120,919 |
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 Santa Rosa
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers remains robust, with around 560 individuals currently employed in this sector. With a cost-of-living index of 107.784, the purchasing power of these salaries must be considered in relation to Santa Rosa's economic environment. The highest-paying employers are often residential service companies, with positions that involve commission structures that can push earnings significantly higher, especially in high-demand seasons. Conversely, commercial HVAC contractors and data center teams typically offer stable salaried positions with less variability. The disparity in pay is largely influenced by specializations, with those skilled in precision cooling for data centers or holding state contractor licenses often commanding higher wages. For those aiming to maximize their pay locally, pursuing brand-specific certifications such as NATE or potential contractors licensing, as well as focusing on the growing heat pump market, would be wise strategies in the competitive Santa Rosa CA market.
More salary data for Santa Rosa, CA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Santa Rosa, CA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Santa Rosa, CA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Santa Rosa, CA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Santa Rosa, CA in 2026?
Is Santa Rosa, CA 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 Santa Rosa?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Santa Rosa?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Santa Rosa?
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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 $75,535 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Santa Rosa 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