Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Taos, NM: $49,646 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Taos, NM earns a median $49,646/year (≈ $23.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Taos's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $52,591 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.0% below the New Mexico state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Taos, NM, can expect a median annual salary of $49,646 in 2026, reflecting the area's unique job market dynamics. This figure falls notably below the national median of $60,174, suggesting a more localized economic environment that impacts pay scales. The salary range for this occupation spans from $34,957 at the lower end to $72,083 for those at the higher percentiles, indicating a divide influenced by specialization and experience. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price analysis highlight how the interplay between residential service work and commercial contracts shapes the earning potential for technicians in Taos. As the demand for skilled HVAC professionals rises, driven in part by emerging technologies and services, opportunities for competitive wages exist, particularly in sectors beyond residential coverage.
About the Taos Market
Salary estimated from New Mexico average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,957 | $16.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,571 | $19.51 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,646 | $23.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,548 | $29.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72,083 | $34.66 |
Median Salary Position
17.5% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Taos
In Taos, NM, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,126 (2026 est.). At $49,646, the local median is 17.5% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Taos: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Taos Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Taos median: $49,646/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Taos Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $53,963 | -8.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -17.50% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Taos, NM earn a median of $49,646 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.50% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 8.00% below the New Mexico state average of $53,963.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Taos has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Taos, NM has a cost-of-living index of 94.4 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $49,646 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,591 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,194
2025 BLS Actual
$47,819
2026 Current Est.
$49,646
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Taos (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,194 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,652 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,116 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,279 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,911 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,896 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,819 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,646 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,542 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Taos metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $38,194 (2019) to $47,819 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,542 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,348 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Taos 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) | $34,957 – $40,571 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,571 – $49,646 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,646 – $60,548 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,548 – $72,083 |
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 Taos
Despite the attractive median salary, the local job market in Taos only employs four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which underscores the niche nature of this profession in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 94.4, which is lower than the national average, technicians may find their purchasing power relatively stable. Among the employers, larger commercial HVAC contractors and specialized refrigeration service companies tend to offer better compensation compared to typical residential service firms. The variance in pay is influenced by specialization in areas like data center precision cooling or state contractor licensing, which can enhance business prospects and attract higher salaries. Those aiming to maximize their earnings in Taos should consider obtaining additional certifications such as NATE, pursuing roles with on-call rotations, and diversifying their skill set to include newer technologies like heat pumps in response to the growing market from the IRA tax credits initiative.
More salary data for Taos, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Taos?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Taos?
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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 $47,819 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Taos 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 Taos 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