Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Dayton, OH: $61,643 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Dayton, OH earns a median $61,643/year (≈ $29.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Dayton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.7), that paycheck buys what $66,502 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Dayton, Ohio, is $61,643, slightly outpacing the national median of $60,174. These skilled professionals can expect to see compensation levels ranging from $38,101 at the lower end to an impressive $95,295 for top earners, reflecting the diverse job roles available in the market. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights how sales-driven commission structures within residential service companies can significantly boost income, with top performers in high-demand markets often earning well over $80,000 annually. The unique income potential here speaks to the vibrant opportunities for those entering the HVAC field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,101 | $18.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,756 | $22.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,643 | $29.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,119 | $37.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,295 | $45.82 |
Median Salary Position
2.44% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dayton
In Dayton, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,194 (2026 est.). At $61,643, the local median is 2.44% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dayton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dayton Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Dayton median: $61,643/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dayton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,912 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.44% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Dayton, OH earn a median of $61,643 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.44% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 1.20% above the Ohio state average of $60,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dayton has a cost of living 7.31% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dayton, OH has a cost-of-living index of 92.694 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,643 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,502 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.88% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$47,720
2025 BLS Actual
$59,375
2026 Current Est.
$61,643
2019–2027 Growth
+34.1%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Dayton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,540 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,220 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,375 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,643 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,998 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dayton metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 24.4% from $47,720 (2019) to $59,375 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,998 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,278 (34.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dayton 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) | $38,101 – $47,756 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,756 – $61,643 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,643 – $77,119 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,119 – $95,295 |
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 Dayton
With a local workforce of about 1,090 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, Dayton's job market remains robust amid a favorable cost of living index of 92.694, suggesting that professionals can enjoy a comfortable lifestyle while retaining substantial purchasing power. Leading employers such as Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists are among those providing higher salaries, particularly in specialized areas like data center HVAC operations. Factors contributing to the disparity in pay include the increasing demands associated with heat pumps, IRA tax credits, and the necessity for state contractor licensing that supports independent contractors and established companies alike. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing specialized certifications like NATE or Carrier Distinguished Dealer status, as well as building expertise in commercial controls or precision cooling, can significantly enhance career prospects in Dayton, OH.
More salary data for Dayton, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Dayton?
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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 $59,375 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Dayton 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