Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Herndon, VA: $54,630 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Herndon, VA earns a median $54,630/year (≈ $26.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Herndon's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $52,936 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.3% below the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Herndon, Virginia, the estimated median salary for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer reaches $54,630 in 2026. This figure is slightly below the national median of $60,174, reflecting a localized context informed by BLS state-level data and regional cost analyses. Local pay spans a range from $40,126 for the lower 10% (P10) to $77,891 for the upper 90% (P90), indicating that although the average is relatively modest, there is substantial variability in earnings across different positions and companies. With a growing demand driven by technological advances in HVAC systems, along with the significant influence of commission structures, Herndon's market demonstrates opportunities for earnings through performance-based incentives, particularly in the residential service sector.
About the Herndon Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,126 | $19.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,850 | $22.04 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,742 | $31.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,891 | $37.45 |
Median Salary Position
9.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Herndon
In Herndon, VA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,765 (2026 est.). At $54,630, the local median is 9.21% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Herndon: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Herndon Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Herndon median: $54,630/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Herndon Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $58,303 | -6.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -9.21% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Herndon, VA earn a median of $54,630 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.21% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.30% below the Virginia state average of $58,303.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Herndon has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Herndon, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $54,630 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $52,936 — a 3.1% 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
$42,029
2025 BLS Actual
$52,620
2026 Current Est.
$54,630
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Herndon (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $42,029 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,633 | Actual |
| 2021 | $41,942 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,323 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,420 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,135 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,620 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $54,630 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,717 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Herndon metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $42,029 (2019) to $52,620 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,717 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,688 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Herndon 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) | $40,126 – $45,850 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,850 – $54,630 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $54,630 – $65,742 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,742 – $77,891 |
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 Herndon
As the local job market employs only five professionals in this specific trade, competition for positions can be fierce, which carries a direct influence on pay levels. The cost of living in Herndon, with a cost-of-living index at 103.2, suggests that while salaries may not surpass national averages, they need to accommodate higher living expenses. Employers such as residential service companies like Carrier and Trane, as well as commercial HVAC contractors, often lead in compensation packages. The spread in earnings can be attributed to factors including specialty skills in data center HVAC operations and a strong commission structure at residential service companies where technicians can earn significant bonuses. For those looking to maximize pay in Herndon, gaining niche certifications like NATE or pursuing state licensure can enhance credibility, along with specializing in emerging areas like heat pump installation, spurred by increasing demand through tax credits. By strategically navigating these avenues, professionals can position themselves for better compensation amid the evolving HVAC landscape.
More salary data for Herndon, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Herndon, VA in 2026?
Is Herndon, VA 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 Herndon?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Herndon?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Herndon?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 $52,620 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Herndon 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 Herndon 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