Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Wooster, OH: $58,938 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Wooster, OH earns a median $58,938/year (≈ $28.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Wooster's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $64,981 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.2% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wooster, Ohio, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can expect a median annual salary of $58,938 in 2026, which reflects a slight decrease of 2.05% compared to the national median of $60,174. Salaries in this field range significantly, with entry-level positions starting at $42,061 and top earners making as much as $90,474. These values are derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional cost of living disparities. Notably, the job market here reflects a structural divide that affects pay—those working in commercial sectors, such as data centers and industrial settings, typically command higher salaries compared to their residential counterparts, who may have variable earnings influenced by service contracts and commissions.
About the Wooster Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,061 | $20.22 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,776 | $23.45 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,938 | $28.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,127 | $34.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,474 | $43.50 |
Median Salary Position
2.05% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wooster
In Wooster, OH, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,413 (2026 est.). At $58,938, the local median is 2.05% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wooster: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wooster Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Wooster median: $58,938/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wooster Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $60,886 | -3.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.05% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Wooster, OH earn a median of $58,938 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.05% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.20% below the Ohio state average of $60,886.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wooster 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.
Wooster, 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 $58,938 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,981 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,343
2025 BLS Actual
$56,769
2026 Current Est.
$58,938
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Wooster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,343 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,073 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,250 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,818 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,317 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,907 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,769 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,938 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,189 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wooster metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $45,343 (2019) to $56,769 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,189 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,846 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wooster 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) | $42,061 – $48,776 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,776 – $58,938 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,938 – $72,127 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,127 – $90,474 |
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 Wooster
The local job market consists of a relatively small group, with only six professionals employed in the area, which speaks to the limited competition for positions in Wooster. The cost of living index at 90.7 indicates that living expenses are below the national average, enhancing the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers across various sectors impact pay variance significantly; those in commercial HVAC or large data center operations generally offer better compensation compared to residential service companies or self-employed contractors. The wide salary range is influenced by specialization in areas like data center precision cooling and commercial controls, commission structures at residential firms, and the demand for heat pump installation driven by new tax credits. For aspiring mechanics and installers in Wooster, focusing on commercial work, obtaining state contractor licenses, and pursuing certifications like NATE can help tap into the higher end of the pay spectrum.
More salary data for Wooster, OH:
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 $56,769 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Wooster 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 Wooster 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