Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Franklin, IN: $58,371 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Franklin, IN earns a median $58,371/year (≈ $28.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Franklin's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $63,933 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Franklin, Indiana, the projected median annual salary for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer is $58,371 for 2026. This figure reflects a competitive position within the broader national context, where the median sits at $60,174, placing Franklin's salary slightly below the national average by about 3.00%. Technicians in this field can expect a salary range from $38,613 at the lower end to $87,656 for the highest earners. This pay structure illustrates the opportunities available for skilled workers in the mechanical installation sector, influenced by intricate commission and spiff systems employed by residential service companies. These earnings can fluctuate significantly, driven by individual performance and company incentives, hinting at a vibrant market for those considering a career in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration in Franklin.
About the Franklin Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,613 | $18.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,877 | $22.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,371 | $28.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,614 | $34.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,656 | $42.14 |
Median Salary Position
3% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Franklin
In Franklin, IN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,043 (2026 est.). At $58,371, the local median is 3% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Franklin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Franklin Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Franklin median: $58,371/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Franklin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $59,380 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -3.00% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Franklin, IN earn a median of $58,371 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.00% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% below the Indiana state average of $59,380.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Franklin has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Franklin, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,371 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,933 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,907
2025 BLS Actual
$56,223
2026 Current Est.
$58,371
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Franklin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,907 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,621 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,814 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,358 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,263 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,223 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,371 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,600 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Franklin metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,907 (2019) to $56,223 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,600 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,693 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Franklin 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) | $38,613 – $45,877 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,877 – $58,371 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,371 – $72,614 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,614 – $87,656 |
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 Franklin
As of now, 6 technicians are actively working in Franklin, indicating a tight job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The cost of living index for the area stands at 91.3, which positions Franklin below the national average and boosts the purchasing power of local wages. This cost-effectiveness may attract more skilled workers to seek employment with higher-paying employers in the area, such as commercial HVAC contractors, factory technical support teams, or larger residential service franchises like One Hour Heating & Air. Specialty skills can drive wages upward; for instance, those involved in precision cooling for data centers or possessing state contractor licenses can command higher pay. With the ongoing demand for heat pump installations due to recent tax incentives, mechanics who pursue relevant certifications and adapt to emerging refrigerants like R-454B can maximize their earnings potential in the Franklin IN market.
More salary data for Franklin, IN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Franklin, IN in 2026?
Is Franklin, IN 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 Franklin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Franklin?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Franklin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Indiana
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 $56,223 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Franklin 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 Franklin 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