Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Zachary, LA: $52,557 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Zachary, LA earns a median $52,557/year (≈ $25.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Zachary's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.3), that paycheck buys what $58,203 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% below the Louisiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Zachary, LA, the projected 2026 median salary for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer is $52,557. Local salaries range from $38,138 at the 10th percentile to $79,045 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diversity in specialization and experience within the field. These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price parity, showcasing a compensation structure that heavily emphasizes commissions from residential service roles. This factor can lead many technicians to thrive financially, particularly those who excel in sales and customer service, enhancing the overall salary landscape for this profession in Zachary.
About the Zachary Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($52,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,138 | $18.33 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,647 | $20.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,557 | $25.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,851 | $30.21 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,045 | $38.00 |
Median Salary Position
12.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Zachary
In Zachary, LA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,907 (2026 est.). At $52,557, the local median is 12.66% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Zachary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Zachary Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Zachary median: $52,557/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Zachary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $56,513 | -7.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -12.66% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Zachary, LA earn a median of $52,557 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.66% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.00% below the Louisiana state average of $56,513.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Zachary has a cost of living 9.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Zachary, LA has a cost-of-living index of 90.3 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $52,557 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,203 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.74% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,434
2025 BLS Actual
$50,623
2026 Current Est.
$52,557
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Zachary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,434 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,977 | Actual |
| 2021 | $40,351 | Actual |
| 2022 | $42,641 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,545 | Actual |
| 2024 | $43,671 | Actual |
| 2025 | $50,623 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,557 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,564 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Zachary metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $40,434 (2019) to $50,623 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,564 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,130 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Zachary 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) | $38,138 – $43,647 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,647 – $52,557 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,557 – $62,851 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,851 – $79,045 |
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 Zachary
Despite the relatively modest number of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—only six currently employed in the Zachary area—local market dynamics are favorable due to a low cost-of-living index of 90.3. This index indicates that earnings stretch further in the area compared to the national average. Key employers, such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors, tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for specialized roles involving advanced technology like data center cooling systems. To maximize earning potential in Zachary, technicians should pursue brand-specific certifications like NATE and consider engaging in service commission structures, especially in high-demand areas like heat pump installations. These strategies can significantly influence compensation, given the current push for energy-efficient systems driven by tax incentives.
More salary data for Zachary, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Zachary?
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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 $50,623 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Zachary 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 Zachary 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