Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bennington, VT: $56,695 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bennington, VT earns a median $56,695/year (≈ $27.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bennington's price level (4% above national, BEA RPP 103.5), that paycheck buys what $54,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Vermont state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bennington, Vermont, is projected to reach $56,695. This reflects a spectrum of earnings, with the lowest end at $39,273 (P10) and the top earners potentially making as much as $83,274 (P90). These estimates are derived from 2025 BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional economic conditions. While the local pay is competitive, it remains approximately 5.78% below the national median of $60,174, reflecting the unique job market and cost of living dynamics present in Bennington, VT.
About the Bennington Market
Salary estimated from Vermont average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,273 | $18.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,681 | $21.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,695 | $27.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,737 | $33.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,274 | $40.03 |
Median Salary Position
5.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bennington
In Bennington, VT, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $44,001 (2026 est.). At $56,695, the local median is 5.78% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bennington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bennington Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bennington median: $56,695/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bennington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Vermont Average | $59,181 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -5.78% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bennington, VT earn a median of $56,695 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.78% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.20% below the Vermont state average of $59,181.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bennington has a cost of living 3.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bennington, VT has a cost-of-living index of 103.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $56,695 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,778 — a 3.38% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,617
2025 BLS Actual
$54,609
2026 Current Est.
$56,695
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bennington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,617 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,282 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,528 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,998 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,288 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,523 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,609 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,695 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,861 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bennington metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,617 (2019) to $54,609 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,861 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,244 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bennington 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) | $39,273 – $45,681 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,681 – $56,695 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,695 – $69,737 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,737 – $83,274 |
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 Bennington
The employment market for HVAC professionals in Bennington is relatively small, with just six individuals currently in this role. The cost of living index sits at 103.5, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, which can impact the real purchasing power of earnings within this field. Top-paying employers in the region tend to be residential service companies, particularly those offering sales commissions and incentives that can significantly elevate pay, especially for technicians specializing in installations linked to heat pumps or other energy-efficient technologies under the IRA tax credits. The disparity in salaries arises from specialty skills and certifications; those with experience in commercial controls or data center cooling systems often earn more than their residential peers. To maximize earnings in Bennington, it's advisable for technicians to pursue continued education, gain relevant certifications such as NATE or EPA Section 608, and consider positions with robust commission structures or opportunities in niche markets related to refrigeration and advanced HVAC technologies.
More salary data for Bennington, VT:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Bennington, VT
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bennington, VT
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bennington, VT
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Bennington, VT in 2026?
Is Bennington, VT 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 Bennington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Bennington?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Bennington?
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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 $54,609 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bennington 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 Bennington 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