California Median
$72,560
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.88
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+19% vs US median
US median $61,010
State Rank
#12 of 51
35,130 employed here
How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make in California?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in California take home a median of $72,560 annually — roughly $34.88 an hour — which runs 19% above the national median of $61,010.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $46,950 while the top 10% make $109,060 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $58,280 and $90,780 a year.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,950 | $22.57 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $58,280 | $28.02 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $72,560 | $34.88 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $90,780 | $43.64 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $109,060 | $52.43 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in other states
District of Columbia $84,390Alaska $77,430Illinois $77,410Massachusetts $77,300Connecticut $76,610Minnesota $76,350Washington $75,660North Dakota $74,490New Jersey $74,450New York $74,430New Hampshire $73,850Maryland $70,020Rhode Island $67,370Hawaii $65,450Colorado $65,200Maine $63,170Oregon $62,940Ohio $62,510Pennsylvania $62,400Delaware $62,320Vermont $62,150Wisconsin $61,710South Dakota $61,390Michigan $60,850Montana $60,850Iowa $60,680Nevada $60,510Kansas $60,460Indiana $60,430Missouri $59,950Nebraska $59,850Virginia $59,730Arizona $59,400Utah $58,730Louisiana $58,650Kentucky $58,620Texas $57,760Oklahoma $57,560North Carolina $57,260Florida $56,670South Carolina $56,610Georgia $56,390Idaho $56,240Tennessee $55,490Wyoming $54,700New Mexico $50,270West Virginia $48,850Mississippi $48,680Alabama $48,370Arkansas $48,110
Working as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in California
Nationally, about 410,000 people work as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($72,560) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make in California?
The median Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in California is $72,560 per year, or about $34.88 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,950 at the entry level to $109,060 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers about 19% more than the national median of $61,010. California ranks 12th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $72,560 a year. About 35,130 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.