Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Hawaii: $65,842 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Hawaii's 10 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $65,842/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Hawaii sits at BEA RPP 119.3 (19% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $55,190 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kahului ($70,984), Honolulu ($69,898), Kaneohe ($65,276).
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Hawaii are projected to earn an average median salary of $65,843, which is 9.4% higher than the national median of $60,174. The highest paying city is Kahului, with salaries reaching $73,696, while Urban Honolulu offers the lowest at $64,553, creating a salary gap of $1,143. This discrepancy is driven by differences in the cost of living, local demand, and the concentration of industries requiring HVAC services in each area. Hawaii has specific state licensing requirements that include passing exams and meeting continuing education criteria. These regulations, along with scope of practice laws, ensure that professionals are qualified to handle complex systems, which can also impact salary levels. The demand for skilled HVAC workers is supported by Hawaii's growth in residential and commercial properties, driven by the tourism sector and ongoing infrastructure projects. With a projected annual growth rate of 3.82%, the job market for these mechanics and installers is expected to remain strong. Employment numbers show a total of 1,290 individuals in this field across the state, highlighting a steady demand for skilled labor in the HVAC industry throughout Hawaii's diverse metropolitan areas.
Hawaii Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Hawaii: $42,101 (lowest entry-level) to $114,972 (highest top earner)
Hawaii vs National Average
Hawaii heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 9.42% more than the national median (+$5,668/year difference).
Hawaii Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Hawaii range from $43,357 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,162 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,842. The Hawaii median is $5,668 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $31.66/hr. Approximately 1,290 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 10 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,135
2025 BLS Actual
$63,420
2026 Current Est.
$65,842
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Hawaii (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,135 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,328 | Actual |
| 2021 | $64,465 | Actual |
| 2022 | $66,490 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,766 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,842 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,357 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Hawaii metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 7.2% from $59,135 (2019) to $63,420 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,357 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,222 (15.59%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Hawaii 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Hawaii
Lowest Paying Cities in Hawaii
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Urban Honolulu | $64,553 |
| Hilo | $64,715 |
| Pearl City | $66,193 |
| Waipahu | $66,827 |
| East Honolulu | $66,854 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Hawaii
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Hawaii cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului | $73,696 | 109.393 | $67,368 |
| Honolulu | $72,568 | 119.3 | $60,828 |
| Urban Honolulu | $64,553 | 110.961 | $58,176 |
| Kaneohe | $67,770 | 119.3 | $56,806 |
| Mililani Town | $67,647 | 119.3 | $56,703 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Hawaii
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,357 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,842 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,162 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Hawaii metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 10 Cities in Hawaii
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kahului | $73,696 |
| 2 | Honolulu | $72,568 |
| 3 | Kaneohe | $67,770 |
| 4 | Mililani Town | $67,647 |
| 5 | Kailua | $67,606 |
| 6 | East Honolulu | $66,854 |
| 7 | Waipahu | $66,827 |
| 8 | Pearl City | $66,193 |
| 9 | Hilo | $64,715 |
| 10 | Urban Honolulu | $64,553 |
More Hawaii Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Hawaii cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Hawaii in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Hawaii?
How does Hawaii heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Hawaii?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Hawaii?
Which Hawaii city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Hawaii. State averages are employment-weighted across 10 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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