Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Barre, VT: $55,858 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Barre, VT earns a median $55,858/year (≈ $26.86/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Barre's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $53,969 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.6% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Barre, Vermont, the projected salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in 2026 is $55,858, which reflects a noticeable gap compared to the national median of $60,174. This local salary range extends from $37,263 at the 10th percentile to $80,331 at the 90th percentile. The figures presented are derived from projections based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Given the prevalence of residential service companies in Barre, those who excel in sales and commission structures can positively influence their earnings substantially, with the potential for additional spiffs elevating compensation to higher levels, especially within a competitive landscape.
About the Barre Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,263 | $17.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,967 | $21.14 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,858 | $26.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,813 | $32.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,331 | $38.62 |
Median Salary Position
7.17% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Barre
In Barre, VT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,068 (2026 est.). At $55,858, the local median is 7.17% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Barre: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Barre Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Barre median: $55,858/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Barre Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $59,172 | -5.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -7.17% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Barre, VT earn a median of $55,858 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.17% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.60% below the Vermont state average of $59,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Barre has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Barre, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $55,858 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,969 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$42,974
2025 BLS Actual
$53,803
2026 Current Est.
$55,858
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Barre (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,974 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,614 | Actual |
| 2021 | $42,885 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,319 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,531 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,674 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,803 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,858 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,992 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Barre metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $42,974 (2019) to $53,803 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,992 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,018 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Barre 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) | $37,263 – $43,967 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,967 – $55,858 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,858 – $67,813 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,813 – $80,331 |
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 Barre
Currently, Barre employs six heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, indicating a niche job market that may present both challenges and opportunities. The cost-of-living index at 103.5 suggests that while wages may be lower than the national average, local purchasing power significantly affects take-home salaries. Among the employers, residential service companies such as Carrier dealers and franchises like One Hour Heating & Air tend to pay more to technicians who are adept at generating sales. The disparity in pay can often be traced back to specialties, with commercial roles generally offering steadier, salary-based pay versus the variable income tied to residential services. To maximize earnings in Barre, focusing on acquiring relevant certifications like NATE or brand-specific credentials, capitalizing on the growing demand for heat pumps, and leveraging optional on-call work can be effective strategies to enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for Barre, VT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Barre, VT in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Barre?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Barre?
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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 $53,803 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Barre 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 Barre 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