Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Duluth, MN: $74,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Duluth, MN earns a median $74,673/year (≈ $35.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Duluth's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $84,122 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% below the Minnesota state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Duluth, MN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary is quite competitive, with a projected median annual income of $74,673 for 2026. This figure surpasses the national average significantly, indicating local demand and economic conditions that favor skilled tradespeople. The salary range in this sector varies widely, from $48,072 for the lower 10% to $97,614 for the top earners. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a broader trend influenced by the rising adoption of heat pumps and the associated IRA tax credits, which are reshaping hiring dynamics in the industry. With a robust job market here, skilled technicians have numerous opportunities to excel in their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,072 | $23.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,813 | $28.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,673 | $35.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,868 | $39.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,614 | $46.93 |
Median Salary Position
24.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Duluth
In Duluth, MN, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,542 (2026 est.). At $74,673, the local median is 24.1% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Duluth: You'd be above the median
How Duluth Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Duluth median: $74,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Duluth Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Minnesota Average | $75,656 | -1.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +24.10% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Duluth, MN earn a median of $74,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.10% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.30% below the Minnesota state average of $75,656.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Duluth has a cost of living 11.23% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Duluth, MN has a cost-of-living index of 88.768 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $74,673 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,122 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.65% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,460
2025 BLS Actual
$71,925
2026 Current Est.
$74,673
2019–2027 Growth
+50.7%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Duluth (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,460 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,680 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,010 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,960 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,450 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,925 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,525 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Duluth metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 39.8% from $51,460 (2019) to $71,925 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,525 by 2027 — a total increase of $26,065 (50.65%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Duluth 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) | $48,072 – $58,813 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,813 – $74,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,673 – $82,868 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,868 – $97,614 |
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 Duluth
Currently, there are around 170 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers employed in Duluth, showcasing a solid market presence despite the city’s cost of living index of 88.768, indicating lower-than-average living expenses. This situation allows local professionals to enjoy stronger purchasing power in contrast to many other regions. Notably, residential service companies tend to offer the highest salaries, with commission structures potentially elevating pay significantly, while commercial HVAC contractors provide stability with salaried roles that can include overtime. Factors like specialty skills in data center cooling and energy efficiency certifications can further widen the pay gap, driving higher demand for qualified technicians. Those wanting to maximize their earnings should pursue relevant certifications like NATE or state HVAC licenses and consider specializing in emerging technologies such as heat pump installations.
More salary data for Duluth, MN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $71,925 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Duluth 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