Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Portage, IN: $57,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Portage, IN earns a median $57,352/year (≈ $27.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $62,817 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Portage, IN, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $57,352. This figure is slightly below the national median of $60,174, reflecting the local economic conditions influenced by both residential service demands and commercial ventures, such as data centers. Salaries within Portage range from $39,271 at the 10th percentile to $87,694 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a diverse pay structure that can be attributed to the varying complexities of the work performed. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the significant impact of specialization on compensation. Given the current job market, there are opportunities for skilled technicians to capitalize on the residential sector, particularly with new technologies demanding installation and maintenance.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,271 | $18.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,060 | $22.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,352 | $27.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,301 | $34.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $87,694 | $42.16 |
Median Salary Position
4.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,423 (2026 est.). At $57,352, the local median is 4.69% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Portage median: $57,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $59,371 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.69% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Portage, IN earn a median of $57,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.69% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $59,371.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage 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.
Portage, 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 $57,352 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,817 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,123
2025 BLS Actual
$55,242
2026 Current Est.
$57,352
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,123 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,807 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,032 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,531 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,242 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,123 (2019) to $55,242 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,420 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $39,271 – $46,060 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,060 – $57,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,352 – $72,301 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,301 – $87,694 |
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 Portage
In Portage, only ten heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are currently employed, presenting a unique dynamic within the local job market. The cost of living index sits at 91.3, indicating that workers in this field can enjoy a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to other regions, albeit with some trade-offs. Employers offering the highest salaries typically include commercial HVAC contractors handling large installations or maintenance for industrial buildings, hospitals, and educational institutions, as well as data center operations where precision cooling is paramount. The disparity in pay between residential and commercial sectors often stems from the additional certifications and specialized skills required; for instance, technicians with expertise in heat pump installation—a growing area due to recent tax credit incentives—can command higher wages. To enhance earning potential, technicians should consider acquiring brand-specific certifications or seeking positions with companies that offer commission structures tied to performance. The current demand for skilled installers, coupled with an aging workforce, suggests promising opportunities for those willing to invest in their professional development.
More salary data for Portage, IN:
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 $55,242 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Portage 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 Portage 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