Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Salem, NH: $59,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Salem, NH earns a median $59,858/year (≈ $28.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $55,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Salem, NH, can anticipate a median annual salary of $59,858, slightly below the national median of $60,174. The salary range in the area spans from $38,800 at the lower end (P10) to $89,027 at the upper end (P90), reflecting the diverse nature of the trade. Factors such as experience level, specialty, and employer type significantly impact earnings. Notably, those engaged in the commercial sector, including data center operations, often receive higher compensation compared to those primarily serving residential clients. This distinction in pay aligns with the demand for more complex systems and precision cooling in commercial settings which typically require advanced skills and certifications.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,800 | $18.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,516 | $22.36 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,858 | $28.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,894 | $35.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,027 | $42.80 |
Median Salary Position
0.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,227 (2026 est.). At $59,858, the local median is 0.53% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Salem median: $59,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $61,330 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -0.53% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Salem, NH earn a median of $59,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.53% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $61,330.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $59,858 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $55,786 — a 6.8% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$46,051
2025 BLS Actual
$57,656
2026 Current Est.
$59,858
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,051 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,809 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,957 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,565 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,150 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,656 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,145 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $46,051 (2019) to $57,656 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,145 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,094 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $38,800 – $46,516 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,516 – $59,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,858 – $73,894 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,894 – $89,027 |
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 Salem
With only eight heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Salem, the local job market demonstrates limited capacity, which could influence salary dynamics. A cost-of-living index of 107.3 indicates that Salem is slightly above the national average, meaning purchasing power may be somewhat constrained despite the competitive wage structure. In this region, employers that tend to offer the highest pay include commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations, reflecting the technical knowledge and expertise required in those areas. The spread in earnings can also be attributed to specialty areas such as precision cooling for data centers and the potential for commission-based income at residential service companies. Maximizing pay in Salem may involve acquiring specialized certifications, such as NATE, and gaining experience in high-demand areas like heat pump installations fueled by recent tax credits, alongside considering opportunities within larger commercial firms.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Salem, NH in 2026?
Is Salem, NH 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 Salem?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Salem?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Salem?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Hampshire
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 $57,656 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Salem 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
Salary data for Salem is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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