Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Cleveland, OH: $61,930 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Cleveland, OH earns a median $61,930/year (≈ $29.78/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $65,937 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Cleveland, OH enjoy a strong job market, reflected in a projected median annual salary of $61,930 for 2026. This figure not only exceeds the national median of $60,174 but also showcases the region's growth in demand for skilled technicians, particularly in light of the IRA tax credits promoting heat pump installations. With salaries ranging from $38,682 at the 10th percentile to $96,963 at the 90th percentile, these mechanics have considerable earning potential depending on experience and specialization. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, signaling a vibrant labor climate in Cleveland that is responsive to industry shifts and technological advancements.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,682 | $18.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,345 | $23.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,930 | $29.78 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,286 | $37.16 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,963 | $46.62 |
Median Salary Position
2.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,281 (2026 est.). At $61,930, the local median is 2.92% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $61,930/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,894 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.92% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $61,930 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.92% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.70% above the Ohio state average of $60,894.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,930 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,937 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,030
2025 BLS Actual
$59,651
2026 Current Est.
$61,930
2019–2027 Growth
+26.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,700 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,700 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,980 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,680 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,651 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,930 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,295 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 16.9% from $51,030 (2019) to $59,651 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,295 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,265 (25.99%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $38,682 – $49,345 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,345 – $61,930 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,930 – $77,286 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,286 – $96,963 |
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 Cleveland
Cleveland's workforce hosts approximately 2,610 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, which creates a competitive atmosphere while maintaining job availability. With a cost-of-living index of 93.923, living expenses are below national averages, enhancing take-home pay and overall purchasing power in the local economy. The highest-paying positions typically arise within commercial HVAC sectors, large-scale data center operations, and specialized refrigeration firms catering to supermarkets. The disparity in wages often stems from specialized skills, with technicians focusing on precision cooling and state contractor licensing generally commanding higher rates. To maximize earnings, professionals should consider obtaining brand-specific certifications such as NATE, pursuing advanced training in emerging refrigerants, and embracing opportunities in high-demand residential sectors spurred by the heat pump boom. Success in this field hinges not only on technical skills but also on effectively navigating the different segments of the market.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Cleveland, OH in 2026?
Is Cleveland, OH a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Cleveland?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Cleveland?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Cleveland?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Ohio
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 $59,651 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Cleveland 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