Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Dallas, TX: $58,743 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Dallas, TX earns a median $58,743/year (≈ $28.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Dallas's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.1), that paycheck buys what $56,982 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.5% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $58,743 in 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Dallas is slightly below the national average of $60,174. This compensation is well-supported by the growth in demand for heat pump installations, fueled by the recent IRA tax credit incentives, which have reshaped the hiring landscape for HVAC professionals. Salaries for this occupation in Dallas range from $39,738 at the 10th percentile to $83,716 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market where experience and specialization can lead to significant earnings. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data and projected to 2026, illustrate a lucrative opportunity for mechanics and installers in the area, particularly in a city experiencing steady growth in the HVAC sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,738 | $19.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,204 | $22.70 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,743 | $28.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,252 | $35.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,716 | $40.25 |
Median Salary Position
2.38% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dallas
In Dallas, TX, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,978 (2026 est.). At $58,743, the local median is 2.38% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dallas: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dallas Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Dallas median: $58,743/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dallas Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $49,158 | +19.50% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | -2.38% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Dallas, TX earn a median of $58,743 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.38% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 19.50% above the Texas state average of $49,158.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dallas has a cost of living 3.09% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dallas, TX has a cost-of-living index of 103.09 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $58,743 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,982 — a 3% reduction.
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
$46,260
2025 BLS Actual
$56,582
2026 Current Est.
$58,743
2019–2027 Growth
+31.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Dallas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,670 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,582 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,743 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,987 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dallas metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 22.3% from $46,260 (2019) to $56,582 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,987 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,727 (31.84%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dallas 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) | $39,738 – $47,204 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,204 – $58,743 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,743 – $73,252 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,252 – $83,716 |
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 Dallas
Dallas features a robust workforce of 10,910 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, reflecting strong demand despite the local cost-of-living index of 103.09. This index is slightly above the national average, meaning professionals need to be strategic about their earnings to maintain purchasing power. Among local employers, commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations typically offer the highest pay, often providing stable hourly wages and overtime opportunities. The spread between low and high salaries can be attributed to various factors, including specialized skills in areas such as commercial controls and precision cooling. Additionally, commission structures at residential service companies can significantly enhance pay, potentially allowing technicians to reach annual incomes of $80,000 to $130,000. For HVAC professionals looking to maximize their salary in Dallas, obtaining brand-specific certifications and a state contractor license can be advantageous, alongside staying updated with industry trends, particularly in the growing heat pump market.
More salary data for Dallas, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Dallas, TX in 2026?
Is Dallas, TX 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 Dallas?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Dallas?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Dallas?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $56,582 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Dallas 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