Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Bremerton, WA: $73,627 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Bremerton, WA earns a median $73,627/year (≈ $35.40/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Bremerton's price level (6% above national, BEA RPP 105.6), that paycheck buys what $69,718 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% above the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Bremerton, WA, the salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers reaches a median of $73,627 in 2026, significantly above the national median of $60,174, representing a notable 22.36% increase. The full salary spectrum ranges from $47,037 at the 10th percentile to $95,799 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse nature of the market, especially between commercial and residential service sectors. Positions within commercial environments, such as data centers, often offer higher pay and stable workloads compared to residential service roles, which typically involve variable hours tied to commission structures. This data is compiled from official BLS OEWS surveys, illustrating the competitive landscape for HVAC professionals in the region. Given Bremerton's growth trends and demand for skilled mechanics, it's an opportune time for prospective employees to enter this field.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,037 | $22.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,326 | $28.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $73,627 | $35.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,514 | $42.08 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,799 | $46.06 |
Median Salary Position
22.36% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bremerton
In Bremerton, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,762 (2026 est.). At $73,627, the local median is 22.36% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bremerton: You'd be above the median
How Bremerton Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Bremerton median: $73,627/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bremerton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,206 | +3.40% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +22.36% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Bremerton, WA earn a median of $73,627 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.36% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 3.40% above the Washington state average of $71,206.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bremerton has a cost of living 5.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bremerton, WA has a cost-of-living index of 105.607 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $73,627 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,718 — a 5.31% 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
$53,690
2025 BLS Actual
$70,918
2026 Current Est.
$73,627
2019–2027 Growth
+42.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Bremerton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,690 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,940 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,350 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,918 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $73,627 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,440 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bremerton metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 32.1% from $53,690 (2019) to $70,918 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,440 by 2027 — a total increase of $22,750 (42.37%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bremerton 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) | $47,037 – $59,326 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,326 – $73,627 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $73,627 – $87,514 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,514 – $95,799 |
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 Bremerton
With 180 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Bremerton, the local job market is robust despite a cost of living index of 105.607, which is slightly above the national average. This index impacts disposable income, meaning that while salaries may be higher than average, purchasing power may face pressure from elevated living costs. Employers that tend to offer the highest compensation include specialized commercial HVAC contractors for industrial settings and schools, along with large data center operations. Factors contributing to the significant salary range include specialization in precision cooling or commercial controls, which command higher rates than general residential service roles. Technicians looking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining state contractor licenses, brand-specific certifications, and exploring contracts that leverage demand for heat pump installations aligned with upcoming IRA tax credits. These strategies can enhance prospects in a competitive environment while meeting the needs shaped by an evolving industry landscape.
More salary data for Bremerton, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Bremerton, WA in 2026?
Is Bremerton, WA 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 Bremerton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Bremerton?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Bremerton?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Washington
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 $70,918 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Bremerton 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