Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in SeaTac, WA: $69,769 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in SeaTac, WA earns a median $69,769/year (≈ $33.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in SeaTac's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $64,962 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.0% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration industry in SeaTac, WA are projected to earn a median annual salary of $69,769, reflecting a competitive local market where salaries are approximately 15.95% higher than the national median of $60,174. The salary range spans from $45,481 at the 10th percentile to $108,142 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price differentials, illustrate the potential for substantial income based on experience, specialty, and the types of services provided. The SeaTac job market offers unique opportunities, particularly for those involved in residential service where variable compensation can be significantly influenced by sales commissions and incentives—often referred to as "spiffs."
About the SeaTac Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,481 | $21.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $54,556 | $26.22 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $69,769 | $33.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,914 | $40.82 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $108,142 | $51.99 |
Median Salary Position
15.95% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in SeaTac
In SeaTac, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,661 (2026 est.). At $69,769, the local median is 15.95% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in SeaTac: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How SeaTac Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
SeaTac median: $69,769/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | SeaTac Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,193 | -2.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +15.95% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in SeaTac, WA earn a median of $69,769 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.95% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% below the Washington state average of $71,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
SeaTac has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
SeaTac, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $69,769 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,962 — a 6.89% 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
$53,676
2025 BLS Actual
$67,202
2026 Current Est.
$69,769
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in SeaTac (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,676 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,724 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,566 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,606 | Actual |
| 2023 | $63,115 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,668 | Actual |
| 2025 | $67,202 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $69,769 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $72,434 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the SeaTac metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $53,676 (2019) to $67,202 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $72,434 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,758 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the SeaTac 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) | $45,481 – $54,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $54,556 – $69,769 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $69,769 – $84,914 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,914 – $108,142 |
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 SeaTac
Examining the local job market, only six heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are currently employed in SeaTac, which can create a competitive edge for skilled workers. The cost of living index stands at 107.4, indicating that while salaries may be higher than the national average, the purchasing power can be impacted by living costs. Top employers in the area, including Carrier and Trane dealers, often provide the best compensation packages, especially for technicians specializing in high-demand areas such as commercial HVAC, precision cooling for data centers, or refrigeration for supermarkets. The salary gap within this profession is largely attributed to the degree of specialization, demand for certifications like NATE, and commission structures prevalent in residential service work. Those looking to maximize earnings in SeaTac should consider gaining brand-specific certifications, understanding the impact of tax credits related to heat pump installations, and leveraging on-call premium rotations that can enhance overall compensation.
More salary data for SeaTac, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in SeaTac, WA in 2026?
Is SeaTac, 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 SeaTac?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in SeaTac?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in SeaTac?
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 $67,202 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the SeaTac 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 SeaTac 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