Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $61,673 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $61,673/year (≈ $29.65/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $62,600 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 13.4% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Walla Walla, WA, can expect to earn a median annual salary of $61,673 in 2026, aligning positively with the national median of $60,174. The salary range for these professionals spans from $45,547 at the 10th percentile to $78,756 at the 90th percentile, showcasing the potential for earnings growth depending on skill level and experience. This data comes from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, projected to 2026, and reflects a robust local market that benefits from both residential and commercial service segments. Walla Walla's unique climate and increasing emphasis on energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions are likely to further demand for skilled technicians starting in this niche.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,547 | $21.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,525 | $23.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,673 | $29.65 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,013 | $34.14 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,756 | $37.86 |
Median Salary Position
2.49% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,209 (2026 est.). At $61,673, the local median is 2.49% above the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Walla Walla: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Walla Walla Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $61,673/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $71,216 | -13.40% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | +2.49% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $61,673 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.49% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 13.40% below the Washington state average of $71,216.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 1.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 98.519 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $61,673 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,600 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,010
2025 BLS Actual
$59,404
2026 Current Est.
$61,673
2019–2027 Growth
+16.4%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,010 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,200 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,130 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,550 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,300 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,404 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,673 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,029 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 8.0% from $55,010 (2019) to $59,404 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,029 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,019 (16.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $45,547 – $48,525 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,525 – $61,673 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,673 – $71,013 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,013 – $78,756 |
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 Walla Walla
As of 2026, approximately 80 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in the Walla Walla area. Although the cost of living index is at 98.519, slightly below the national average, the earnings potential in the region can allow for a comfortable lifestyle. Local employers vary significantly in pay structure. Residential service companies, particularly those offering specialized commission structures, can drive income levels higher; technicians might expect commissions pushing salaries into the $80k to $130k range in bustling markets. On the other hand, commercial HVAC contractors generally offer more stable, salaried positions with fewer pay fluctuations but may lack the lucrative commission opportunities. Technicians can maximize their pay by acquiring relevant certifications, such as NATE or EPA Section 608, and seeking specialized training in data center HVAC or emerging refrigerants. The growing demand for heat pump installations spurred by tax credits also presents a solid opportunity for those looking to increase their earnings.
More salary data for Walla Walla, WA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Walla Walla, WA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Walla Walla, WA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Walla Walla, WA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Walla Walla, WA in 2026?
Is Walla Walla, 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 Walla Walla?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Walla Walla?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Walla Walla?
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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 $59,404 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Walla Walla 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