Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Newark, DE: $57,762 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Newark, DE earns a median $57,762/year (≈ $27.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Newark's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.7), that paycheck buys what $56,796 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Delaware state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Newark, DE, is projected to be around $57,762 annually. This figure reflects a median income that is slightly lower than the national average of $60,174, highlighting the regional employment market's context. With a salary range spanning from $39,240 at the 10th percentile to $86,052 at the 90th percentile, there is notable pay variance predominantly driven by service sectors. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data suggest that within Newark, the job market may favor positions in commercial settings, such as data centers and industrial environments, compared to residential roles that often rely on commission-based earnings. Employers who manage large-scale HVAC operations typically offer competitive salaries that can bridge the gap with national standards.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,240 | $18.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,158 | $22.20 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,762 | $27.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,262 | $34.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,052 | $41.37 |
Median Salary Position
4.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, DE, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,812 (2026 est.). At $57,762, the local median is 4.01% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newark Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Newark median: $57,762/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $58,111 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.01% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Newark, DE earn a median of $57,762 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.01% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% below the Delaware state average of $58,111.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark has a cost of living 1.70% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newark, DE has a cost-of-living index of 101.7 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,762 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,796 — a 1.67% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,438
2025 BLS Actual
$55,637
2026 Current Est.
$57,762
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,438 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,135 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,347 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,864 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,254 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,647 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,637 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,762 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,969 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,438 (2019) to $55,637 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,969 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,531 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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) | $39,240 – $46,158 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,158 – $57,762 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,762 – $71,262 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,262 – $86,052 |
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 Newark
Analyzing the local job market, only five heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are reported as employed in Newark, indicating a niche but potentially stable segment. The cost of living index for the area stands at 101.7, slightly above the national average, which may impact the real purchasing power of take-home salaries. Among the various employers in Newark, commercial HVAC contractors and data center operations are likely to provide the highest financial compensation. The disparity between lower and higher pay in this sector can be attributed to factors such as specialized training requirements, particularly for commercial cooling systems or heat pumps, as well as the presence of incentives like the IRA tax credits that stimulate the growth of residential service companies. For technicians looking to maximize their pay, pursuing state HVAC contractor licensing, obtaining certifications such as those from NATE, and focusing on high-demand skills related to energy efficiency technologies can prove advantageous in this evolving market.
More salary data for Newark, DE:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $55,637 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Newark 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 Newark 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