Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mentor, OH: $58,432 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Mentor, OH earns a median $58,432/year (≈ $28.09/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Mentor's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $64,423 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mentor, Ohio, earn a median annual salary of $58,432 as of 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $60,174. Salaries in the area range from $41,060 at the 10th percentile to $90,569 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse pay structure within the industry. Local estimates are informed by BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, which reflect the unique economic conditions in Mentor. The job market for this occupation is relatively small, with just nine professionals currently employed, highlighting the specialized nature of this work in the region and how residential commission structures can influence overall earnings.
About the Mentor Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,060 | $19.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,748 | $22.95 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,432 | $28.09 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,961 | $34.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,569 | $43.54 |
Median Salary Position
2.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mentor
In Mentor, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,509 (2026 est.). At $58,432, the local median is 2.89% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mentor: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mentor Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Mentor median: $58,432/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mentor Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,930 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.89% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Mentor, OH earn a median of $58,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.89% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.10% below the Ohio state average of $60,930.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mentor has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Mentor, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $58,432 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,423 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,954
2025 BLS Actual
$56,282
2026 Current Est.
$58,432
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mentor (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,954 | Actual |
| 2020 | $46,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,861 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,408 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,471 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,282 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,432 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,664 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mentor metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,954 (2019) to $56,282 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,664 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,710 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mentor 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) | $41,060 – $47,748 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,748 – $58,432 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,432 – $70,961 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,961 – $90,569 |
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 Mentor
Delving into the specifics of the job market, the cost of living index in Mentor stands at 90.7, suggesting that expenses are lower than national averages and enhancing the purchasing power of salaries for HVAC workers. While local employers include residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and specialty refrigeration firms, those who leverage commission opportunities at residential service companies often see substantial earning potential. The disparity in pay can be attributed to various factors such as specialty skills in data center operations, on-call rotation premiums, and the demand for heat pump installations driven by recent tax credits. To maximize earnings, HVAC professionals in Mentor should consider obtaining advanced certifications like NATE or expanding their client base through self-employment while staying current with evolving refrigerant technologies.
More salary data for Mentor, OH:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Mentor, OH in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Mentor?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Mentor?
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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 $56,282 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Mentor 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
Salary data for Mentor is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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