Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Jersey: $66,685 (2026)

Quick Answer:Across New Jersey's 61 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $66,685/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because New Jersey sits at BEA RPP 115.2 (15% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $57,886 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Jersey City ($75,362), Newark ($74,201), Princeton ($72,899).

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New Jersey - 2025 BLS Data Infographic — New Jersey heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary overview (2026)

$66,685

Avg Median Salary

$32.06

Avg Hourly Rate

2,003

Metro Employed

Cities

In New Jersey, the projected average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $66,685, which is 10.8% higher than the national median of $60,174. There is a significant salary disparity among cities, with Jersey City leading at $78,241 and Atlantic City at the lower end with $59,809. This gap can be attributed to factors such as cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and local economic conditions. New Jersey has specific state licensing requirements, which ensure that professionals are qualified, reflecting the state's commitment to maintaining safety and quality standards in HVACR services. The demand for these technicians is driven by increasing construction activity, aging systems needing replacement, and a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and climate control. With 2,003 individuals employed in this field and an annual growth rate of 3.82%, job opportunities are expected to remain strong. The top projected cities for employment include Newark at $77,035, Princeton at $75,684, Trenton at $74,208, and Vineland at $67,315. As the industry evolves with technology, continuous education and adherence to state regulations will be vital for maintaining a competitive edge in the job market.

New Jersey Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range

Entry Level (10th %ile)

$44,619

avg across 61 cities

Median

$66,685

state average

Top Earners (90th %ile)

$102,713

avg across 61 cities

Overall salary range in New Jersey: $40,567 (lowest entry-level) to $121,273 (highest top earner)

New Jersey vs National Average

New Jersey

$66,685

National Median

$60,174

New Jersey heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 10.82% more than the national median (+$6,511/year difference).

New Jersey Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in New Jersey range from $44,619 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,713 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $66,685. The New Jersey median is $6,511 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $32.06/hr. Approximately 2,003 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 61 cities.

2019 BLS Actual

$49,023

2025 BLS Actual

$64,231

2026 Current Est.

$66,685

2019–2027 Growth

+41.2%

Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Jersey (2019–2027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected

Year	Annual Salary	Status
2019	$49,023	Actual
2020	$51,141	Actual
2021	$58,059	Actual
2022	$63,314	Actual
2023	$61,657	Actual
2024	$71,942	Actual
2025	$64,231	Actual
2026(current)	$66,685	Estimated
2027	$69,232	Projected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Jersey metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 31.0% from $49,023 (2019) to $64,231 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,232 by 2027 — a total increase of $20,209 (41.22%) from 2019.

Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Jersey 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 New Jersey

Jersey City

42 employed · $37.61/hr

$78,241

+17.33% vs avg

Newark

61 employed · $37.03/hr

$77,035

+15.52% vs avg

Princeton

6 employed · $36.39/hr

$75,684

+13.49% vs avg

Trenton

430 employed · $35.67/hr

$74,208

+11.28% vs avg

Vineland

290 employed · $32.36/hr

$67,315

+0.94% vs avg

Lowest Paying Cities in New Jersey

City	Median Salary	vs State Avg	Hourly
Atlantic City	$59,809	-10.31%	$28.75
Summit	$61,370	-7.97%	$29.51
Camden	$62,174	-6.76%	$29.89
Rahway	$62,297	-6.58%	$29.95
Evesham	$62,572	-6.17%	$30.09

Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New Jersey

When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Jersey cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

City	Nominal Salary	CoL Index	Adjusted Salary
Trenton	$74,208	103.18	$71,921
Vineland	$67,315	95.968	$70,143
Jersey City	$78,241	115.2	$67,918
Newark	$77,035	115.2	$66,871
Princeton	$75,684	115.2	$65,698

Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.

Salary by Experience Level in New Jersey

Experience Level	Estimated Annual	Est. Hourly	Description
Entry Level (0-2 years)	$44,619	$21.45	10th percentile, new graduates
Mid Career (3-7 years)	$66,685	$32.06	50th percentile, median salary
Experienced (7+ years)	$102,713	$49.38	90th percentile, top earners

Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Jersey metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.

All 61 Cities in New Jersey

#	City	Median Salary	Hourly	Entry (P10)	Top (P90)	Employed
1	Jersey City	$78,241	$37.61	$47,947	$121,273	42
2	Newark	$77,035	$37.03	$45,668	$119,405	61
3	Princeton	$75,684	$36.39	$50,865	$111,917	6
4	Trenton	$74,208	$35.67	$47,076	$110,188	430
5	Vineland	$67,315	$32.36	$44,887	$117,556	290
6	East Orange	$66,762	$32.10	$43,968	$102,505	9
7	Franklin	$66,762	$32.10	$43,968	$102,333	15
8	Woodbridge	$66,744	$32.09	$40,940	$103,452	25
9	Parsippany-Troy Hills	$66,648	$32.04	$41,486	$102,095	8
10	Union	$66,481	$31.97	$43,050	$101,498	15
11	Elizabeth	$66,456	$31.95	$45,259	$103,007	25
12	Brick	$66,319	$31.88	$42,682	$102,794	18
13	Gloucester Township	$66,131	$31.79	$42,257	$100,255	10
14	New Brunswick	$66,105	$31.78	$42,469	$102,405	8
15	Howell	$65,886	$31.68	$41,973	$102,124	11
16	Paterson	$65,807	$31.63	$44,075	$102,001	31
17	Plainfield	$65,731	$31.60	$41,353	$101,883	10
18	Irvington	$65,631	$31.55	$41,332	$101,728	10
19	West New York	$65,532	$31.51	$41,111	$100,364	10
20	Piscataway	$65,486	$31.49	$41,073	$101,503	14
21	Jackson	$65,448	$31.47	$40,722	$100,235	10
22	Lakewood	$65,339	$31.42	$43,039	$101,275	31
23	West Orange	$65,302	$31.40	$44,146	$99,179	11
24	Montclair	$65,204	$31.34	$43,641	$96,694	10
25	Washington Township	$65,102	$31.30	$43,401	$98,645	12
26	Old Bridge	$65,079	$31.29	$45,307	$100,872	17
27	Edison	$64,978	$31.24	$42,246	$100,716	20
28	Union City	$64,948	$31.23	$45,076	$100,669	17
29	Toms River	$64,927	$31.22	$45,028	$98,399	17
30	Bridgewater	$64,852	$31.18	$42,815	$95,477	10
31	Middletown	$64,834	$31.17	$44,813	$98,069	15
32	Clifton	$64,635	$31.07	$44,362	$100,184	14
33	South Brunswick	$64,520	$31.02	$42,315	$100,006	7
34	Berkeley	$64,515	$31.02	$42,030	$99,998	7
35	Perth Amboy	$64,504	$31.01	$44,065	$99,982	13
36	Wayne	$64,484	$31.00	$44,019	$99,950	10
37	Linden	$64,474	$31.00	$42,208	$96,301	7
38	Passaic	$64,458	$30.99	$43,959	$99,909	18
39	East Brunswick	$64,433	$30.98	$42,114	$99,871	8
40	Bloomfield	$64,296	$30.91	$43,594	$99,659	11
41	Long Branch	$64,254	$30.89	$41,699	$99,595	8
42	Westfield	$64,076	$30.80	$41,017	$95,090	7
43	Hamilton	$64,009	$30.77	$42,884	$99,096	21
44	Sayreville	$63,988	$30.76	$41,088	$98,575	9
45	Cherry Hill	$63,978	$30.76	$42,617	$99,161	11
46	North Bergen	$63,863	$30.70	$42,622	$98,594	13
47	Hoboken	$63,806	$30.68	$40,567	$98,393	15
48	Kearny	$63,707	$30.63	$45,632	$97,559	11
49	Manalapan	$63,651	$30.61	$45,499	$97,403	8
50	Bayonne	$63,587	$30.57	$42,007	$98,559	16
51	Manchester	$63,441	$30.50	$44,806	$98,334	9
52	Moorestown	$63,193	$30.38	$43,860	$90,670	4
53	Hackensack	$63,191	$30.38	$44,487	$95,817	8
54	Marlboro	$62,864	$30.22	$43,659	$94,696	9
55	Mount Laurel	$62,818	$30.20	$43,552	$94,540	11
56	Egg Harbor	$62,665	$30.13	$43,265	$94,173	8
57	Evesham	$62,572	$30.09	$43,052	$93,858	12
58	Rahway	$62,297	$29.95	$42,353	$94,935	9
59	Camden	$62,174	$29.89	$41,152	$96,369	16
60	Summit	$61,370	$29.51	$44,810	$90,575	5
61	Atlantic City	$59,809	$28.75	$43,949	$87,711	480

More New Jersey Salary Data

Hourly Rates

Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in New Jersey cities.

Jersey City →Newark →Princeton →

Entry Level

Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

Jersey City →Newark →Princeton →

Senior / Experienced

Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

Jersey City →Newark →Princeton →

Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data

National OverviewMedian salary & full US data Entry-Level SalariesStarting pay & new grad earnings Hourly Pay RatesPer-hour rates & part-time income Highest Paying StatesTop states ranked by salary

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in New Jersey in 2026?

The average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New Jersey is $66,685/year across 61 metro areas, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Salaries range from $59,809 in Atlantic City to $78,241 in Jersey City. This makes New Jersey one of the higher-paying states, at 10.82% above the national median of $60,174. The state employs approximately 2,003 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Jersey?

Jersey City offers the highest heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New Jersey at $78,241/year ($37.61/hr), based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). The top 3 highest-paying cities are Jersey City ($78,241), Newark ($77,035), Princeton ($75,684). Higher pay in these metros is typically driven by cost of living, demand for hvac services, and competition among employers for licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.

How does New Jersey heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?

New Jersey's average heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary of $66,685 is 10.82% above the national median of $60,174 in 2026. The state employs approximately 2,003 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers across 61 metropolitan areas. When comparing salaries, consider cost-of-living differences — a lower nominal salary in an affordable area may provide better purchasing power than a higher salary in an expensive metro.

What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New Jersey?

Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (10th percentile) in New Jersey earn approximately $44,619/year on average, based on estimated 2026 (projected from 2025 BLS data). Starting salaries range from $40,567 in lower-paying areas to $50,865 in the highest-paying metros. New graduates should expect salaries at the lower end and can typically reach the area median within 3–5 years of clinical experience.

How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in New Jersey?

New Jersey employs approximately 2,003 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers across 61 metropolitan areas, based on the latest BLS data. Job availability varies by metro area, with larger cities offering more opportunities. Demand continues to grow as the hvac field expands and the population ages.

Which New Jersey city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?

When adjusted for cost of living, Trenton offers the highest purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New Jersey, with an adjusted salary of $71,921 (nominal: $74,208, CoL index: 103.18). This means your dollar goes 3% less far compared to the national average, making it important to negotiate higher base pay.

Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician

Career Analyst

Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.

Clinically reviewed by Maria Gonzalez, HVAC InstructorData verified by David Patel, HVAC Supervisor

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 New Jersey. State averages are employment-weighted across 61 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 (2019–2025). 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

Last verified: June 10, 2026

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