Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Henderson, KY: $55,722 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Henderson, KY earns a median $55,722/year (≈ $26.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Henderson's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.3), that paycheck buys what $62,399 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Kentucky state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Henderson, KY, stands at $55,722, which is about 7.40% lower than the national median of $60,174. The salary range in this region varies significantly, from $36,141 at the 10th percentile to as much as $86,370 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, with local cost adjustments taken into account. The emerging demand for heat pumps, driven by new IRA tax credits, is reshaping hiring patterns in the HVAC sector, presenting technicians with new opportunities for employment and specialization, particularly in energy-efficient installations and maintenance.
About the Henderson Market
Salary estimated from Kentucky average ($50,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,141 | $17.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,593 | $21.92 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,722 | $26.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,686 | $32.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,370 | $41.53 |
Median Salary Position
7.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Henderson
In Henderson, KY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,229 (2026 est.). At $55,722, the local median is 7.4% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Henderson: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Henderson Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Henderson median: $55,722/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Henderson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $56,976 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -7.40% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Henderson, KY earn a median of $55,722 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.40% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.20% below the Kentucky state average of $56,976.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Henderson 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.
Henderson, 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 $55,722 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,399 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.98% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,869
2025 BLS Actual
$53,672
2026 Current Est.
$55,722
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Henderson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,869 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,781 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,209 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,408 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,666 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,672 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,722 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,851 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Henderson metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $42,869 (2019) to $53,672 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,851 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,982 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Henderson 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) | $36,141 – $45,593 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,593 – $55,722 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,722 – $67,686 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,686 – $86,370 |
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 Henderson
A total of four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are currently employed in the Henderson market. The area’s cost of living index sits at 89.3, indicating that living expenses are below the national average, which can enhance the effective take-home pay for local technicians. In Henderson, the highest salaries often come from commercial HVAC contractors, especially those servicing industrial buildings and large facilities like hospitals. The disparity in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialization in commercial versus residential services, commission structures in residential roles, and the demand for EPA-certified technicians skilled in newer refrigerants and heat pump technology. To maximize earning potential in this market, technicians should focus on obtaining brand-specific certifications like NATE or those offered by major manufacturers, as well as engaging in ongoing training to adapt to industry advancements and capitalize on designations that can increase job security and income.
More salary data for Henderson, KY:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Henderson, KY in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Henderson?
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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 $53,672 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Henderson 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 Henderson 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