Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Buffalo, NY: $61,328 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Buffalo, NY earns a median $61,328/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Buffalo's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.8), that paycheck buys what $63,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.1% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, professionals in Buffalo, NY, who work as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $61,328. This figure is slightly above the national median of $60,174, reflective of this city's growing interest in heat pump installations spurred by tax credit incentives. The salary range for this profession in Buffalo varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $38,702, while experienced mechanics can earn up to $90,561. This data is derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, highlighting the competitive nature of the local labor market and emphasizing the demand for qualified technicians.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,702 | $18.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,216 | $23.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,328 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,576 | $36.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,561 | $43.54 |
Median Salary Position
1.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Buffalo
In Buffalo, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,859 (2026 est.). At $61,328, the local median is 1.92% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Buffalo: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Buffalo Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Buffalo median: $61,328/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Buffalo Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $62,010 | -1.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +1.92% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Buffalo, NY earn a median of $61,328 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.10% below the New York state average of $62,010.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Buffalo has a cost of living 4.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Buffalo, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.844 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,328 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.34% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,660
2025 BLS Actual
$59,071
2026 Current Est.
$61,328
2019–2027 Growth
+30.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,660 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,180 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,210 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,071 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,328 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,670 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Buffalo metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 21.4% from $48,660 (2019) to $59,071 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,670 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,010 (30.85%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Buffalo 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) | $38,702 – $49,216 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,216 – $61,328 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,328 – $76,576 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,576 – $90,561 |
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 Buffalo
Local employment statistics reveal that approximately 1,370 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in the Buffalo area. With a cost-of-living index of 95.844, living expenses in Buffalo are below the national average, allowing for enhanced purchasing power for workers in this field. Employers that generally offer higher pay include commercial HVAC contractors servicing industrial facilities and data center operations, as well as specialized refrigeration companies. The salary variation reflects several factors, such as specialty skills in commercial controls over residential installations, commission structures at service companies, and the complexity of projects. To optimize earnings, technicians might consider pursuing additional certifications like NATE or focusing on high-demand areas like heat pump installation, which are becoming increasingly relevant in the market. Understanding these dynamics can significantly benefit those assessing their potential career trajectory in Buffalo's HVAC industry.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Buffalo?
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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 $59,071 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Buffalo 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, 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