Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bozeman, MT: $71,970 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bozeman, MT earns a median $71,970/year (≈ $34.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bozeman's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 102.5), that paycheck buys what $70,208 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.2% above the Montana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bozeman, Montana, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $71,970, which is notably higher than the national median of $60,174. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $49,236 at the 10th percentile to $88,283 at the 90th percentile, indicative of diverse opportunities influenced by specialization and experience. This expected salary growth reflects the increasing complexity of systems, especially in commercial settings like data centers, where precision cooling and advanced controls are of utmost importance. Such distinctions suggest that the local job market may skew favorably towards those engaged in commercial versus residential services, highlighting the importance of technical expertise in maximizing earnings potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,236 | $23.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $57,827 | $27.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $71,970 | $34.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $80,462 | $38.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $88,283 | $42.44 |
Median Salary Position
19.60% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bozeman
In Bozeman, MT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,047 (2026 est.). At $71,970, the local median is 19.6% above the national median of $60,174.
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How Bozeman Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bozeman median: $71,970/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bozeman Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Montana Average | $61,408 | +17.20% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +19.60% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bozeman, MT earn a median of $71,970 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.60% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 17.20% above the Montana state average of $61,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bozeman has a cost of living 2.51% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bozeman, MT has a cost-of-living index of 102.51 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $71,970 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,208 — a 2.45% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,369
2025 BLS Actual
$69,322
2026 Current Est.
$71,970
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bozeman (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,369 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,482 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,255 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,391 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,107 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,720 | Actual |
| 2025 | $69,322 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $71,970 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,719 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bozeman metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $55,369 (2019) to $69,322 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,719 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,350 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bozeman 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) | $49,236 – $57,827 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $57,827 – $71,970 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $71,970 – $80,462 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $80,462 – $88,283 |
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 Bozeman
As of 2026, Bozeman is home to 210 employed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, suggesting a steady demand in this field. However, the cost of living index sits slightly above the national average at 102.51, which impacts take-home pay. Local employers vary significantly in pay rates, with commercial HVAC contractors and data center operations typically offering the highest compensation. Notably, those in residential service settings may benefit from commission structures that can lead to earnings in the upper range for high-volume technicians, especially given the influx of business driven by heat pump installations amidst growing demand for energy-efficient solutions. Factors such as certifications from NATE and state contractor licenses further influence earning potential, reflecting the strategic advantages for those who enhance their qualifications. Prospective professionals should focus on specializing in high-demand areas like commercial HVAC systems or energy-efficient installations to secure higher salaries in Bozeman.
More salary data for Bozeman, MT:
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 $69,322 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bozeman 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, 2-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