Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Parkersburg, WV: $44,975 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Parkersburg, WV earns a median $44,975/year (≈ $21.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Parkersburg's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.1), that paycheck buys what $51,656 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.7% below the West Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Parkersburg, West Virginia, is projected to average $44,975 annually. This figure represents a significant departure from the national median of $60,174, highlighting a 25.26% difference that may influence local job seekers. Workers in this field can expect to receive salaries ranging from $33,110 at the lower end (P10) to $60,056 at the upper end (P90). These salary estimates are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) surveys, illuminating the commercial versus residential service dynamic in the local market. With the current demand for skilled technicians, particularly in HVAC systems used for data centers and industrial applications, the competitive landscape is shifting, presenting nuanced opportunities for those in Parkersburg's growing HVAC sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $33,110 | $15.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $37,952 | $18.25 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $44,975 | $21.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48,940 | $23.54 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60,056 | $28.87 |
Median Salary Position
25.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Parkersburg
In Parkersburg, WV, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $26,946 (2026 est.). At $44,975, the local median is 25.26% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Parkersburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Parkersburg Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Parkersburg median: $44,975/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Parkersburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| West Virginia Average | $48,205 | -6.70% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -25.26% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Parkersburg, WV earn a median of $44,975 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.26% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.70% below the West Virginia state average of $48,205.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Parkersburg has a cost of living 12.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Parkersburg, WV has a cost-of-living index of 87.066 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $44,975 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $51,656 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$34,510
2025 BLS Actual
$43,320
2026 Current Est.
$44,975
2019–2027 Growth
+35.3%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Parkersburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34,510 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,670 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,470 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $36,860 | Actual |
| 2024 | $39,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $43,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44,975 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46,693 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Parkersburg metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.5% from $34,510 (2019) to $43,320 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $46,693 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,183 (35.30%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Parkersburg 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) | $33,110 – $37,952 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $37,952 – $44,975 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $44,975 – $48,940 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $48,940 – $60,056 |
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 Parkersburg
Examining the local job market, about 90 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are currently employed in Parkersburg, reflecting a modest occupational pool. The cost of living index in Parkersburg stands at 87.066, meaning potential earnings can stretch further than in higher-CoL areas, which could be advantageous for professionals in this trade. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include larger commercial HVAC contractors serving industrial clients and data center operations, as these roles often require specialized knowledge and experience. The disparity between lower and higher salaries is primarily driven by specialization—technicians focusing on precision cooling for data centers command top dollar compared to those in residential service environments. To maximize their earnings, HVAC professionals in Parkersburg may consider pursuing advanced certifications such as NATE or brand-specific training, allowing them to stand out to potential employers. Additionally, getting involved in emerging technologies like heat pumps, spurred by recent IRA tax credits, could create new pathways for increased pay in this evolving market.
More salary data for Parkersburg, WV:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Parkersburg, WV
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Parkersburg, WV
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Parkersburg, WV
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Parkersburg, WV in 2026?
Is Parkersburg, 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 Parkersburg?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Parkersburg?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Parkersburg?
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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 $43,320 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Parkersburg 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