Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Boston, MA: $77,454 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Boston, MA earns a median $77,454/year (≈ $37.23/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Boston's price level (8% above national, BEA RPP 108.3), that paycheck buys what $71,540 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% above the Massachusetts state average.
Official BLS data · View source
As the demand for heat pump installations surges, driven in part by the IRA tax credit, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Boston is projected to reflect significant growth. With a 2026 median annual salary of $77,454, local professionals can expect earnings that surpass the national median by a substantial margin. Salary ranges vary, with the lower end at $50,193 and the higher end reaching $101,638. This data, derived from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a positive shift in the job market, highlighting the increasing opportunities for skilled technicians in an evolving industry that emphasizes energy-efficient solutions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,193 | $24.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,894 | $29.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,454 | $37.23 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,937 | $46.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,638 | $48.86 |
Median Salary Position
28.72% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Boston
In Boston, MA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,445 (2026 est.). At $77,454, the local median is 28.72% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Boston: You'd be above the median
How Boston Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Boston median: $77,454/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Boston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $72,590 | +6.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +28.72% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Boston, MA earn a median of $77,454 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.72% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.70% above the Massachusetts state average of $72,590.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Boston has a cost of living 8.27% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Boston, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.266 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,454 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,540 — a 7.64% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,570
2025 BLS Actual
$74,604
2026 Current Est.
$77,454
2019–2027 Growth
+28.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,350 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,750 | Actual |
| 2024 | $77,600 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,604 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,454 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,413 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Boston metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.2% from $62,570 (2019) to $74,604 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,413 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,843 (28.52%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Boston 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) | $50,193 – $60,894 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,894 – $77,454 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,454 – $95,937 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,937 – $101,638 |
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 Boston
Boston’s job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is robust, with approximately 6,050 professionals currently employed within the area. However, the cost of living is above the national average, with a CoL index of 108.266, which can impact take-home purchasing power. Employers across various sectors, including residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and large data center operations, offer varying pay scales. The diversity in compensation often stems from specialty skills, such as precision cooling for data centers, the commission structures employed by residential companies, and the increasing demand for certified technicians knowledgeable in new refrigerants and heat pump technologies. Successfully navigating this market often requires a combination of state licensing, advanced credentials like NATE certifications, and familiarity with emerging technologies to maximize earnings potential.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Boston, MA in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Boston?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Boston?
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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 $74,604 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Boston 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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