Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Syracuse, NY: $65,687 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Syracuse, NY earns a median $65,687/year (≈ $31.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Syracuse's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.7), that paycheck buys what $68,608 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.0% above the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Syracuse, NY, can expect a median annual salary of $65,687 in 2026, reflecting a competitive pay scale that exceeds the national median by 9.16%. The salary range for this profession is projected to be between $46,671 at the lower end to $95,453 for the highest earners, according to estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026. This upward trend in compensation is driven in part by the growing demand for heat pump installations fueled by IRA tax credits, reshaping hiring in the local market. The evolving landscape presents opportunities for technicians who are willing to adapt to new technologies and meet the rising expectations of consumers in Syracuse.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,671 | $22.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,950 | $25.94 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,687 | $31.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,671 | $37.34 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,453 | $45.89 |
Median Salary Position
9.16% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Syracuse
In Syracuse, NY, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,782 (2026 est.). At $65,687, the local median is 9.16% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Syracuse: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Syracuse Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Syracuse median: $65,687/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Syracuse Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $61,969 | +6.00% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +9.16% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Syracuse, NY earn a median of $65,687 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.16% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.00% above the New York state average of $61,969.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Syracuse has a cost of living 4.26% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Syracuse, NY has a cost-of-living index of 95.742 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $65,687 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,608 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,180
2025 BLS Actual
$63,270
2026 Current Est.
$65,687
2019–2027 Growth
+33.2%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Syracuse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,180 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,110 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,870 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,010 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,270 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,687 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,196 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Syracuse metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 23.6% from $51,180 (2019) to $63,270 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,196 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,016 (33.25%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Syracuse 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) | $46,671 – $53,950 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,950 – $65,687 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,687 – $77,671 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,671 – $95,453 |
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 Syracuse
The job market in Syracuse shows strength, with approximately 970 individuals employed as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. The cost of living index sits at 95.742, indicating a slightly below-average cost environment, which can enhance the purchasing power for local workers. Among employers, those in commercial HVAC contracting, particularly in areas servicing industrial facilities and schools, often pay the highest wages. The variation in salaries can be attributed to specialized skills, such as data center precision cooling or commercial controls, as well as the commission-based structure prevalent in residential services. Mechanics seeking to maximize their pay should consider acquiring brand-specific certifications, such as NATE, and engage in continuous training to stay competitive, especially with the increasing adoption of emerging refrigerants and heat pumps in the HVAC system market.
More salary data for Syracuse, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $63,270 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Syracuse 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