Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Minnesota: $75,850 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Minnesota's 44 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $75,850/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Minnesota sits at BEA RPP 98.5 (1% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $77,005 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Maple Grove ($73,825), Woodbury ($73,796), Eden Prairie ($73,727).
In 2026, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Minnesota is projected to be $75,850, significantly higher than the national median of $60,174, reflecting a 26.1% increase over national averages. The highest-paying city in the state is Maple Grove at $76,645, while Faribault offers the lowest at $71,432, resulting in a salary gap of $5,213. This disparity is often driven by local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of industries requiring HVAC services. Minnesota's specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws necessitate that workers complete training and obtain certifications, influencing job readiness and potentially salaries. Demand for skilled technicians is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%, driven by expanding residential and commercial sectors that rely on advanced heating and cooling solutions. With a total employment projection of 3,592 in this field, the job market appears stable with opportunities across various metro areas. Top cities for salary are Maple Grove, Woodbury, Eden Prairie, Rochester, and Minneapolis, demonstrating that location plays a critical role in compensation for this profession. Overall, career prospects in Minnesota for HVAC mechanics and installers look positive as the state continues to prioritize heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration expertise.
Minnesota Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Minnesota: $45,941 (lowest entry-level) to $118,800 (highest top earner)
Minnesota vs National Average
Minnesota heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 26.05% more than the national median (+$15,676/year difference).
Minnesota Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Minnesota range from $47,996 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $100,519 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $75,850. The Minnesota median is $15,676 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $36.46/hr. Approximately 3,592 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 44 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$56,619
2025 BLS Actual
$73,059
2026 Current Est.
$75,850
2019–2027 Growth
+39.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Minnesota (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,619 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,148 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,391 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,917 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,686 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,717 | Actual |
| 2025 | $73,059 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,850 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,747 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Minnesota metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 29.0% from $56,619 (2019) to $73,059 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,747 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,128 (39.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Minnesota 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Lowest Paying Cities in Minnesota
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Minnesota
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Minnesota cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | $76,437 | 90.821 | $84,162 |
| Duluth | $74,673 | 88.768 | $84,122 |
| St. Cloud | $73,400 | 87.632 | $83,759 |
| Mankato | $75,619 | 90.955 | $83,139 |
| Maple Grove | $76,645 | 98.5 | $77,812 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Minnesota
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,996 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $75,850 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $100,519 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Minnesota metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 44 Cities in Minnesota
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maple Grove | $76,645 |
| 2 | Woodbury | $76,615 |
| 3 | Eden Prairie | $76,543 |
| 4 | Rochester | $76,437 |
| 5 | Minneapolis | $76,428 |
| 6 | St. Paul | $75,661 |
| 7 | Mankato | $75,619 |
| 8 | Bloomington | $75,074 |
| 9 | Owatonna | $75,067 |
| 10 | Brooklyn Park | $74,968 |
| 11 | Plymouth | $74,837 |
| 12 | Roseville | $74,791 |
| 13 | Chaska | $74,733 |
| 14 | Minnetonka | $74,716 |
| 15 | Duluth | $74,673 |
| 16 | Cottage Grove | $74,633 |
| 17 | Burnsville | $74,573 |
| 18 | Lakeville | $74,297 |
| 19 | Chanhassen | $74,246 |
| 20 | Inver Grove Heights | $74,129 |
| 21 | Eagan | $74,117 |
| 22 | Brooklyn Center | $74,099 |
| 23 | Elk River | $74,087 |
| 24 | Prior Lake | $74,011 |
| 25 | Ramsey | $73,741 |
| 26 | Blaine | $73,429 |
| 27 | St. Cloud | $73,400 |
| 28 | Apple Valley | $73,315 |
| 29 | Shakopee | $73,242 |
| 30 | Coon Rapids | $73,232 |
| 31 | Savage | $73,113 |
| 32 | Edina | $73,106 |
| 33 | Maplewood | $72,890 |
| 34 | Andover | $72,872 |
| 35 | Richfield | $72,837 |
| 36 | St. Louis Park | $72,832 |
| 37 | Moorhead | $72,726 |
| 38 | Northfield | $72,200 |
| 39 | Hastings | $72,046 |
| 40 | Fridley | $71,722 |
| 41 | Winona | $71,664 |
| 42 | Shoreview | $71,635 |
| 43 | Austin | $71,523 |
| 44 | Faribault | $71,432 |
More Minnesota Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Minnesota cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Minnesota in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Minnesota?
How does Minnesota heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Minnesota?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Minnesota?
Which Minnesota city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Minnesota. State averages are employment-weighted across 44 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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