Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Covington, WA: $66,840 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Covington, WA earns a median $66,840/year (≈ $32.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Covington's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $62,235 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.1% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Covington, WA, the 2026 median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to be $66,840, representing an 11.08% increase over the national median of $60,174. Salary expectations range significantly, with the lowest earning technicians making approximately $43,943 and the highest potentially earning up to $99,401. These figures are informed by regional cost adjustments and state-level data sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). The local market for HVAC professionals in Covington is primarily driven by a strong residential sector, where commission structures can substantially boost earnings, particularly for those engaging in high-volume sales of service contracts and equipment.
About the Covington Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,943 | $21.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,768 | $26.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,840 | $32.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,173 | $39.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,401 | $47.79 |
Median Salary Position
11.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Covington
In Covington, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,458 (2026 est.). At $66,840, the local median is 11.08% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Covington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Covington Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Covington median: $66,840/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Covington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,182 | -6.10% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +11.08% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Covington, WA earn a median of $66,840 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.08% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 6.10% below the Washington state average of $71,182.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Covington has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Covington, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,840 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $62,235 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$51,422
2025 BLS Actual
$64,381
2026 Current Est.
$66,840
2019–2027 Growth
+35.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Covington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,422 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,385 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,317 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,229 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,466 | Actual |
| 2024 | $70,576 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,381 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,840 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Covington metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $51,422 (2019) to $64,381 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,972 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Covington 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) | $43,943 – $54,768 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,768 – $66,840 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,840 – $83,173 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,173 – $99,401 |
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 Covington
Analyzing the job market in Covington sheds light on the competitive landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers. With only five professionals currently employed in the area, the market faces noticeable demand pressures. The cost of living index sits at 107.4, which means that while salaries may be above the national average, take-home pay could be impacted by living expenses. Employers such as residential service companies and commercial HVAC contractors tend to offer the highest wages, with factors like commission and specialized skills in areas like data center HVAC operations contributing to pay disparities. To maximize compensation in this local market, technicians can seek additional certifications such as NATE or state license credentials, explore the lucrative job of residential service where commissions can lead to lucrative earnings, or specialize in high-demand areas like heat pump installations driven by the recent IRA tax credits.
More salary data for Covington, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Covington?
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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 $64,381 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Covington 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 Covington 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