Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Idaho: $54,790 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Idaho's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $54,790/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Idaho sits at BEA RPP 95.3 (5% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,492 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Coeur d'Alene ($55,860), Boise City ($54,407), Boise ($50,231).
In Idaho, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $54,790 in 2026, which is 8.9% lower than the national median of $60,174. The highest paying city in the state is Coeur d'Alene, where salaries are expected to reach $57,994. In contrast, Mountain Home has the lowest average salary at $47,438, highlighting a notable gap of $10,556. This difference is driven by various factors, including local demand for skilled labor, the presence of businesses in each area, and cost-of-living variations. Idaho has specific licensing requirements that can affect employment opportunities and salary levels. Mechanics and installers must typically obtain credentials to work in the state. The job market is projected to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%, indicating steady demand for professionals in this field. The cities with the top salaries reflect this demand, with Boise City at $56,485, Boise at $52,150, Nampa at $51,755, and Caldwell at $50,707. Overall, the salary landscape for this occupation in Idaho reflects both local economic conditions and the broader national context.
Idaho Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Idaho: $31,253 (lowest entry-level) to $80,832 (highest top earner)
Idaho vs National Average
Idaho heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 8.95% less than the national median ($-5,384/year difference).
Idaho Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Idaho range from $39,660 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,179 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $54,790. The Idaho median is $5,384 below the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $26.34/hr. Approximately 3,945 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$43,108
2025 BLS Actual
$52,774
2026 Current Est.
$54,790
2019–2027 Growth
+32.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Idaho (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,108 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,749 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,893 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,174 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,577 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,801 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,774 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,790 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,883 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Idaho metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 22.4% from $43,108 (2019) to $52,774 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,883 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,775 (31.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Idaho 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 Idaho
Lowest Paying Cities in Idaho
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Mountain Home | $47,438 |
| Eagle | $47,910 |
| Post Falls | $48,358 |
| Idaho Falls | $48,516 |
| Kuna | $48,655 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Idaho
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Idaho cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coeur d'Alene | $57,994 | 98.293 | $59,001 |
| Boise City | $56,485 | 98.391 | $57,409 |
| Pocatello | $50,242 | 88.906 | $56,511 |
| Boise | $52,150 | 95.3 | $54,722 |
| Twin Falls | $50,380 | 92.108 | $54,697 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Idaho
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $39,660 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $54,790 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,179 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Idaho metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in Idaho
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Coeur d'Alene | $57,994 |
| 2 | Boise City | $56,485 |
| 3 | Boise | $52,150 |
| 4 | Nampa | $51,755 |
| 5 | Caldwell | $50,707 |
| 6 | Meridian | $50,499 |
| 7 | Twin Falls | $50,380 |
| 8 | Pocatello | $50,242 |
| 9 | Rexburg | $49,839 |
| 10 | Lewiston | $49,196 |
| 11 | Moscow | $49,054 |
| 12 | Kuna | $48,655 |
| 13 | Idaho Falls | $48,516 |
| 14 | Post Falls | $48,358 |
| 15 | Eagle | $47,910 |
| 16 | Mountain Home | $47,438 |
More Idaho Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Idaho 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 Idaho in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Idaho?
How does Idaho 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 Idaho?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Idaho?
Which Idaho 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 Idaho. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 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