Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Billings, MT: $61,387 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Billings, MT earns a median $61,387/year (≈ $29.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Billings's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.5), that paycheck buys what $65,636 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Billings, Montana, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,387, which is slightly higher than the national median of $60,174. The salary range reflects a diverse market, with entry-level positions starting at $41,316 and experienced professionals earning up to $77,720. These insights are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data and highlight the evolving demand for skilled technicians, especially in light of the heat pump and IRA tax credit growth that is reshaping hiring practices in the Billings area. As more residents invest in energy-efficient systems, the need for qualified mechanics and installers is expected to rise sharply.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,316 | $19.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,356 | $22.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,387 | $29.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,310 | $36.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,720 | $37.36 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Billings
In Billings, MT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,404 (2026 est.). At $61,387, the local median is 2.02% above the national median of $60,174.
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How Billings Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Billings median: $61,387/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Billings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.02% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Billings, MT earn a median of $61,387 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% higher than the national median of $60,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Billings has a cost of living 6.47% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Billings, MT has a cost-of-living index of 93.526 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,387 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,636 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.92% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,630
2025 BLS Actual
$59,128
2026 Current Est.
$61,387
2019–2027 Growth
+23.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Billings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,630 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,130 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,310 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,010 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,128 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,387 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,732 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Billings metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 14.5% from $51,630 (2019) to $59,128 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,732 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,102 (23.44%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Billings 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) | $41,316 – $46,356 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,356 – $61,387 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,387 – $76,310 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,310 – $77,720 |
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 Billings
The local job market in Billings employs around 300 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, with a cost-of-living index of 93.526, indicating a favorable environment for take-home purchasing power compared to the national average. Major employers in the region include residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors, with pay differing significantly based on specialization and service type. For instance, those focused on precision cooling for data centers or commercial installations generally see higher earnings than their residential counterparts who often receive commissions. The shift toward heat pump installation, fueled by energy incentives, is creating new opportunities but also driving competition. To maximize pay in this market, technicians should seek certifications in NATE, pursue experience in commercial settings, and consider the added value of brand-specific training to boost credibility and earning potential.
More salary data for Billings, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Billings, MT in 2026?
Is Billings, MT a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Billings?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Billings?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Billings?
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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 $59,128 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Billings 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, 6-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