Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Morgantown, WV: $47,313 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Morgantown, WV earns a median $47,313/year (≈ $22.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Morgantown's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.3), that paycheck buys what $50,698 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.8% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In Morgantown, West Virginia, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $47,313 for 2026. This figure is notably lower than the national median of $60,174, reflecting regional market conditions and demand. Salaries in Morgantown range from $35,024 at the 10th percentile to $62,462 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse earning potential depending on experience, specialization, and employment circumstances. This salary data reflects trends captured in the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, underscoring how local commission structures and spiffs in residential service companies can significantly impact earnings. As the need for HVAC solutions continues to grow, understanding compensation dynamics becomes crucial for professionals in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,024 | $16.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $36,710 | $17.65 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,313 | $22.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $59,444 | $28.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62,462 | $30.04 |
Median Salary Position
21.37% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Morgantown
In Morgantown, WV, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $27,438 (2026 est.). At $47,313, the local median is 21.37% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Morgantown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Morgantown Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Morgantown median: $47,313/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Morgantown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $48,180 | -1.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -21.37% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Morgantown, WV earn a median of $47,313 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.37% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 1.80% below the West Virginia state average of $48,180.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Morgantown has a cost of living 6.68% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Morgantown, WV has a cost-of-living index of 93.323 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $47,313 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $50,698 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.15% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,670
2025 BLS Actual
$45,572
2026 Current Est.
$47,313
2019–2027 Growth
+23.8%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Morgantown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,670 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,890 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,040 | Actual |
| 2022 | $43,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $44,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $45,572 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,313 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Morgantown metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 14.9% from $39,670 (2019) to $45,572 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,450 (23.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Morgantown 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) | $35,024 – $36,710 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $36,710 – $47,313 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,313 – $59,444 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $59,444 – $62,462 |
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 Morgantown
The job market for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Morgantown is supported by approximately 170 employed individuals in the field. Given the cost-of-living index registered at 93.323, this translates into a favorable purchasing power compared to the national average, allowing for a solid standard of living even at lower salary points. Employers across Morgantown, ranging from prominent residential service companies like Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists to larger commercial HVAC contractors, often provide compensation packages that vary widely. Those specializing in commercial controls or data center precision cooling typically command higher salaries due to the complexity and expertise involved. Furthermore, procuring specialized certifications such as NATE or dealing with state contractor licensing can enhance pay prospects. To maximize earnings, mechanics and installers should focus on competitive specialties and take advantage of the growing demand from heat pump installations spurred by tax incentives, enhancing both their technical skill set and marketability in a rapidly evolving industry.
More salary data for Morgantown, WV:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Morgantown, WV
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Morgantown, WV
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Morgantown, WV
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Morgantown, WV in 2026?
Is Morgantown, WV 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 Morgantown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Morgantown?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Morgantown?
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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 $45,572 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Morgantown 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