Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Joliet, IL: $73,471 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Joliet, IL earns a median $73,471/year (≈ $35.32/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Joliet's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $75,665 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Illinois state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Joliet, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $73,471 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, reflecting a difference of around 22.10%. Salary projections show a range from $48,552 at the lower end (P10) to an impressive $113,880 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional cost factors, suggest a healthy compensation environment for those skilled in HVAC fields. As the demand for skilled technicians grows—particularly with the ongoing shift towards heat pump installations and compliance with EPA regulations—Joliet's job market is poised to remain competitive.
About the Joliet Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($68,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,552 | $23.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,079 | $27.93 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,471 | $35.32 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,790 | $45.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,880 | $54.75 |
Median Salary Position
22.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joliet
In Joliet, IL, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $65,328 (2026 est.). At $73,471, the local median is 22.1% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Joliet: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joliet Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Joliet median: $73,471/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joliet Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois Average | $73,915 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +22.10% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Joliet, IL earn a median of $73,471 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.10% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% below the Illinois state average of $73,915.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joliet has a cost of living 2.90% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joliet, IL has a cost-of-living index of 97.1 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $73,471 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,665 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.99% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,524
2025 BLS Actual
$70,768
2026 Current Est.
$73,471
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Joliet (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,524 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,681 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,408 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,609 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,465 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,603 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,768 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,471 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,278 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joliet metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $56,524 (2019) to $70,768 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,278 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,754 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joliet 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) | $48,552 – $58,079 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,079 – $73,471 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,471 – $93,790 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,790 – $113,880 |
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 Joliet
There are currently 25 individuals employed in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer sector within Joliet, IL, indicating a focused job market. Consequently, the local cost of living index sits at 97.1, slightly below the national average, which can provide advantageous purchasing power for technicians. Employers in Joliet that tend to offer higher compensation include residential service companies like Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists, along with commercial HVAC contractors servicing industrial buildings and schools. The salary range varies widely due to factors such as specialization—those skilled in high-demand areas like data center precision cooling command premium rates. Additionally, technician compensation can significantly increase through commissions and spiffs at residential service companies, especially for those pushing sales volume. For optimal earnings, technicians should consider obtaining state contractor licenses, gaining brand-specific certifications, and tapping into emerging market needs like heat pump installations driven by new tax incentives.
More salary data for Joliet, IL:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Joliet, IL in 2026?
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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 $70,768 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Joliet 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 Joliet 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