Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Kirkland, WA: $70,960 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Kirkland, WA earns a median $70,960/year (≈ $34.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Kirkland's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $66,071 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Kirkland is projected to reach $70,960 annually, reflecting a competitive pay scale when compared to the national average of $60,174. Salaries in this field reveal a broad range, extending from $44,688 at the 10th percentile to as high as $108,847 at the 90th percentile. This pay dynamic indicates strong earning potential for skilled technicians, particularly as demand for precise HVAC solutions grows in the region. Local estimates derived from BLS state-level data account for Kirkland's unique cost of living, which remains above the national average, enhancing the financial prospects for those entering the field. The job market in Kirkland presents favorable conditions for HVAC professionals, as employers seek qualified candidates who can navigate both residential and commercial systems.
About the Kirkland Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,688 | $21.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,349 | $26.13 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $70,960 | $34.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $88,970 | $42.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,847 | $52.33 |
Median Salary Position
17.92% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kirkland
In Kirkland, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,159 (2026 est.). At $70,960, the local median is 17.92% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kirkland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kirkland Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Kirkland median: $70,960/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kirkland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,173 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +17.92% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Kirkland, WA earn a median of $70,960 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.92% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.30% below the Washington state average of $71,173.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kirkland has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kirkland, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $70,960 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $66,071 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,592
2025 BLS Actual
$68,349
2026 Current Est.
$70,960
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Kirkland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,592 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,676 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,572 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,193 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,925 | Actual |
| 2025 | $68,349 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $70,960 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,671 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kirkland metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $54,592 (2019) to $68,349 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,671 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,079 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kirkland 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) | $44,688 – $54,349 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,349 – $70,960 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $70,960 – $88,970 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $88,970 – $108,847 |
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 Kirkland
The local job market employs 13 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, highlighting a specialized niche within Kirkland’s economy. With a cost-of-living index of 107.4, take-home pay can feel tighter compared to other regions, pushing HVAC professionals to maximize their compensation opportunities. Among local employers, residential service companies—including established names like Carrier and Trane—often provide the highest earning potential, particularly through commission structures that can elevate earnings significantly for top performers. The earnings variance between low and high pay is largely driven by specialization, with those skilled in commercial installations or advanced residential technologies like heat pumps seeing superior compensation. To increase earnings, technicians should consider gaining state HVAC contractor licenses, pursuing brand-specific certifications, and targeting high-demand areas such as data centers, which can offer stability and centralized functions over residential service demands.
More salary data for Kirkland, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $68,349 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Kirkland 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 Kirkland 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