Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bellevue, WA: $79,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bellevue, WA earns a median $79,776/year (≈ $38.35/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bellevue's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $74,279 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% above the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bellevue, WA, professionals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer sector are projected to earn a median annual salary of $79,776 in 2026. This local figure reflects a significant advantage over the national median of $60,174, showcasing an impressive 32.58% higher earning potential. The salary spectrum ranges from $49,406 at the bottom (P10) to $123,654 at the top (P90), illustrating the varied compensation landscape driven by factors such as experience, specialty skills, and employer type. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, take regional cost adjustments into account, emphasizing how local demand and the burgeoning green technology market influence pay structures in Bellevue’s job market.
About the Bellevue Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,406 | $23.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,796 | $29.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,776 | $38.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,289 | $48.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $123,654 | $59.45 |
Median Salary Position
32.58% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bellevue
In Bellevue, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,248 (2026 est.). At $79,776, the local median is 32.58% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bellevue: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bellevue Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bellevue median: $79,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bellevue Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,229 | +12.00% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +32.58% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bellevue, WA earn a median of $79,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.58% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 12.00% above the Washington state average of $71,229.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bellevue has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bellevue, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,776 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,279 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,375
2025 BLS Actual
$76,841
2026 Current Est.
$79,776
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bellevue (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,375 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,717 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,249 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,725 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,168 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,676 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,841 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bellevue metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $61,375 (2019) to $76,841 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $21,449 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bellevue 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) | $49,406 – $60,796 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,796 – $79,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,776 – $101,289 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,289 – $123,654 |
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 Bellevue
With a workforce of just 26 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Bellevue, the local job market remains competitive. The cost-of-living index of 107.4 reveals that expenses here are above the national average, emphasizing the need for salaries to match local conditions to ensure adequate purchasing power. Companies paying the highest wages include residential service contractors that utilize commission structures, allowing for earnings to escalate significantly depending on performance; high performers can see salaries in the $80K-$130K range through sales incentives. Additionally, commercial HVAC specialists, particularly those servicing emerging tech operations such as data centers, can benefit from salaried roles with overtime potential. The disparity between low and high salaries is often a result of specialization, state licensing requirements, and the demand for certifications like NATE and ACCA. To enhance compensation, technicians in Bellevue should pursue certifications and specialize in high-demand areas such as heat pump installations or commercial controls, while also considering opportunities for on-call premiums that further supplement their income.
More salary data for Bellevue, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Bellevue, WA in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Bellevue?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Bellevue?
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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 $76,841 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bellevue 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 Bellevue 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