Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Reading, PA: $60,894 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Reading, PA earns a median $60,894/year (≈ $29.28/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $62,739 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Reading, PA, can expect a median annual salary of $60,894, which is slightly above the national median of $60,174. The salary range is quite broad, with the lowest 10% earning around $46,327 and the top 90% making up to $80,383, indicating diversity in earnings based on experience, specialization, and employer type. This data is derived from official BLS OEWS surveys and provides a contemporary snapshot for those considering a career in this field. The competitive market in Reading reflects a mix of residential and commercial service demand, crucial for job seekers keen to establish a foothold in this industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,327 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,640 | $23.87 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,894 | $29.28 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,327 | $35.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,383 | $38.64 |
Median Salary Position
1.20% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,056 (2026 est.). At $60,894, the local median is 1.2% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Reading median: $60,894/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $60,174 | +1.20% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Reading, PA earn a median of $60,894 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.20% higher than the national median of $60,174.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $60,894 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,739 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% 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
$55,720
2025 BLS Actual
$58,653
2026 Current Est.
$60,894
2019–2027 Growth
+13.5%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,720 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,653 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,894 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,220 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 5.3% from $55,720 (2019) to $58,653 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,220 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,500 (13.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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) | $46,327 – $49,640 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,640 – $60,894 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,894 – $74,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,327 – $80,383 |
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 Reading
With about 510 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Reading, the job market remains robust, bolstered by the region's cost of living index of 97.06, which offers a favorable buying power when compared to national averages. Companies such as Carrier dealers and multi-location franchises like One Hour Heating & Air often provide some of the highest pay rates, especially for specialists in commercial HVAC and refrigeration systems. Factors influencing the pay disparity include commission structures at residential service companies and the demand for specialized skills, such as proficiency in heat pumps and new refrigerants. To maximize earning potential in Reading's market, technicians should focus on obtaining advanced certifications like NATE and pursuing niche roles in commercial installations or technical support, which often guarantee more stable salaries and benefits compared to commission-based residential work.
More salary data for Reading, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Reading, PA in 2026?
Is Reading, PA 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 Reading?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Reading?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Reading?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 $58,653 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Reading 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