Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC: $53,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Myrtle Beach, SC earns a median $53,487/year (≈ $25.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Myrtle Beach's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $57,119 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the South Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is $53,487. This figure falls significantly below the national median of $60,174, indicating a difference of about 11.11%. The salary range for this profession in the area spans from $38,791 at the 10th percentile to $71,931 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the variation in job types and experience levels. Such data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys. Interestingly, the divide between commercial and residential service roles often dictates pay, with commercial HVAC positions tending to offer more stability and higher salaries due to the complexity involved, while residential service roles can provide variable earnings based on commission structures.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,791 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,139 | $22.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,487 | $25.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58,309 | $28.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,931 | $34.58 |
Median Salary Position
11.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Myrtle Beach
In Myrtle Beach, SC, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,140 (2026 est.). At $53,487, the local median is 11.11% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Myrtle Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Myrtle Beach Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Myrtle Beach median: $53,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Myrtle Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Carolina Average | $57,267 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -11.11% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Myrtle Beach, SC earn a median of $53,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.11% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.60% below the South Carolina state average of $57,267.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Myrtle Beach has a cost of living 6.36% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Myrtle Beach, SC has a cost-of-living index of 93.642 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $53,487 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,119 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$41,130
2025 BLS Actual
$51,519
2026 Current Est.
$53,487
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Myrtle Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,100 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,500 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,519 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $55,530 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Myrtle Beach metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.3% from $41,130 (2019) to $51,519 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $55,530 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,400 (35.01%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Myrtle Beach 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) | $38,791 – $46,139 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,139 – $53,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,487 – $58,309 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $58,309 – $71,931 |
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 Myrtle Beach
The local job market in Myrtle Beach supports around 630 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, reflecting a robust demand. Though the cost of living index stands at 93.642—significantly below the national average—this can enhance take-home purchasing power. Top employers, including commercial HVAC contractors and data center operations, often pay better than residential service companies like One Hour Heating & Air, driven by the specialized skills required for large-scale systems. The disparity in compensation here stems from factors such as specialization in areas like data center precision cooling and the complexities of commercial controls. Technicians planning to maximize earnings in this market should pursue certifications like NATE and consider roles with consistent overtime opportunities. The current growth of heat pump installations also signals a promising shift, creating new demand for trained professionals amid evolving technologies.
More salary data for Myrtle Beach, SC:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Myrtle Beach, SC
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Myrtle Beach, SC in 2026?
Is Myrtle Beach, SC 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 Myrtle Beach?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Myrtle Beach?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Myrtle Beach?
Related Pages
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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 $51,519 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Myrtle Beach 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