Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in New York: $73,103 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New York's 39 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $73,103/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because New York sits at BEA RPP 115.9 (16% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $63,074 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: New York ($74,091), Troy ($63,980), Syracuse ($63,270).
In New York, the average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $73,104 in 2026, which is significantly above the national median of $60,174. This represents a salary increase of 21.5% compared to the national average. The highest-paying city is New York, where mechanics and installers can expect to earn $76,921, while Cortland offers the lowest salaries at $57,078. The notable salary gap between cities can be attributed to factors such as the cost of living, demand for skilled labor, and local economic conditions. New York has specific licensing requirements and regulations that mechanics must adhere to, which can impact job opportunities and salaries in different locales. The projected annual growth rate for this profession in the state is 3.82%, indicating a steady demand for qualified professionals. With a total employment figure of about 30,250 in this field, metro areas such as Troy, Syracuse, Poughkeepsie, and Albany also display strong salary ranges, reflecting varying local demands and economic conditions. Overall, the job market outlook for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New York shows promise, driven by ongoing needs for HVAC and refrigeration services across residential and commercial sectors.
New York Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in New York: $36,394 (lowest entry-level) to $107,289 (highest top earner)
New York vs National Average
New York heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 21.49% more than the national median (+$12,929/year difference).
New York Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in New York range from $48,258 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $102,929 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $73,103. The New York median is $12,929 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $35.15/hr. Approximately 30,250 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 39 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$59,035
2025 BLS Actual
$70,414
2026 Current Est.
$73,103
2019–2027 Growth
+28.6%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New York (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $59,035 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,398 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,545 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,196 | Actual |
| 2023 | $68,717 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,788 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,414 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,103 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $75,896 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New York metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 19.3% from $59,035 (2019) to $70,414 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $75,896 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,861 (28.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New York 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 York
Lowest Paying Cities in New York
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Cortland | $57,078 |
| Plattsburgh | $57,251 |
| Oneonta | $57,847 |
| Amsterdam | $57,988 |
| Lackawanna | $58,016 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in New York
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New York cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Watertown | $61,989 | 87.69 | $70,691 |
| Syracuse | $65,687 | 95.742 | $68,608 |
| New York | $76,921 | 112.563 | $68,336 |
| Binghamton | $61,170 | 92.863 | $65,871 |
| Utica | $61,032 | 92.678 | $65,854 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New York
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $48,258 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $73,103 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $102,929 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New York metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 39 Cities in New York
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | New York | $76,921 |
| 2 | Troy | $66,424 |
| 3 | Syracuse | $65,687 |
| 4 | Poughkeepsie | $65,628 |
| 5 | Albany | $65,135 |
| 6 | Kiryas Joel | $64,632 |
| 7 | Ithaca | $63,804 |
| 8 | Schenectady | $63,720 |
| 9 | Yonkers | $63,586 |
| 10 | Newburgh | $63,228 |
| 11 | Rochester | $62,699 |
| 12 | New Rochelle | $62,274 |
| 13 | Watertown | $61,989 |
| 14 | Mount Vernon | $61,578 |
| 15 | Elmira | $61,544 |
| 16 | Buffalo | $61,328 |
| 17 | Binghamton | $61,170 |
| 18 | Long Beach | $61,103 |
| 19 | Niagara Falls | $61,070 |
| 20 | Utica | $61,032 |
| 21 | Kingston | $60,628 |
| 22 | Spring Valley | $60,415 |
| 23 | Rome | $60,409 |
| 24 | White Plains | $60,335 |
| 25 | Jamestown | $60,261 |
| 26 | Valley Stream | $60,166 |
| 27 | Glens Falls | $59,947 |
| 28 | Middletown | $59,916 |
| 29 | Hempstead | $59,849 |
| 30 | Saratoga Springs | $59,554 |
| 31 | North Tonawanda | $59,203 |
| 32 | Auburn | $58,915 |
| 33 | Freeport | $58,747 |
| 34 | Oswego | $58,137 |
| 35 | Lackawanna | $58,016 |
| 36 | Amsterdam | $57,988 |
| 37 | Oneonta | $57,847 |
| 38 | Plattsburgh | $57,251 |
| 39 | Cortland | $57,078 |
More New York Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in New York cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Compare Cities in New York
View all comparisons →Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in New York in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in New York?
How does New York heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in New York?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in New York?
Which New York city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
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 York. State averages are employment-weighted across 39 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 (–). 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