Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Frankfort, KY: $55,816 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Frankfort, KY earns a median $55,816/year (≈ $26.84/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Frankfort's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $62,504 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the average heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Frankfort is projected to reach $55,816, reflecting a notable backdrop of growth facilitated by increasing demand for heat pump installations amid recent tax credit incentives. This local median is positioned within a salary range that spans from $36,591 at the lower end (P10) to $86,514 at the upper end (P90). The figures presented here are derived from state-level data and regional cost adjustments based on data from 2025, indicating a positive trend for skilled mechanics seeking employment opportunities in Frankfort, KY amid evolving market conditions.
About the Frankfort Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,591 | $17.59 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,624 | $20.97 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,816 | $26.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,114 | $33.23 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,514 | $41.59 |
Median Salary Position
7.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Frankfort
In Frankfort, KY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,923 (2026 est.). At $55,816, the local median is 7.24% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Frankfort: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Frankfort Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Frankfort median: $55,816/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Frankfort Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $56,955 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -7.24% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Frankfort, KY earn a median of $55,816 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.24% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% below the Kentucky state average of $56,955.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Frankfort has a cost of living 10.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Frankfort, KY has a cost-of-living index of 89.3 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $55,816 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,504 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,941
2025 BLS Actual
$53,762
2026 Current Est.
$55,816
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Frankfort (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,941 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,853 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,285 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,493 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,738 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,762 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,816 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Frankfort metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $42,941 (2019) to $53,762 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,007 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Frankfort 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) | $36,591 – $43,624 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,624 – $55,816 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,816 – $69,114 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,114 – $86,514 |
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 Frankfort
The local job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Frankfort is currently small but reflects potential growth, with only six professionals employed in the area. The cost of living index is 89.3, suggesting a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power despite salaries being slightly below the national average. To optimize earnings in Frankfort, mechanics should consider diversifying their skill sets in specialty areas, such as data center precision cooling or commercial controls, which tend to offer higher compensation. Employers like residential service companies or commercial HVAC contractors typically create pay disparities based on specialty skills, commission structures, and brand-specific certifications. Understanding the evolving landscape influenced by federal incentives for heat pumps and electric vehicle integration can further enhance job prospects and income potential in this sector.
More salary data for Frankfort, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Frankfort?
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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 $53,762 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Frankfort 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 Frankfort 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