Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in North Carolina (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in North Carolina, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
North Carolina Median
$57,260
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.53
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $61,010
State Rank
#40 of 51
15,230 employed here

How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make in North Carolina?

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers working in North Carolina earn a median salary of $57,260 per year, or about $27.53 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $61,010 for this occupation.

Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $37,780 while the top 10% make $77,160 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,830 and $64,310 a year.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary range in North Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$37,780$18.16
25th percentile (early career)$46,830$22.51
50th percentile (median)$57,260$27.53
75th percentile (experienced)$64,310$30.92
90th percentile (top earners)$77,160$37.10

How North Carolina compares

North Carolina ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1District of Columbia$84,390
2Alaska$77,430
3Illinois$77,410
4Massachusetts$77,300
5Connecticut$76,610

Working as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in North Carolina

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 North Carolina pay ($57,260) 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 North Carolina?
The median Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in North Carolina is $57,260 per year, or about $27.53 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $37,780 at the entry level to $77,160 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers about 6% less than the national median of $61,010. North Carolina ranks 40th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,260 a year. About 15,230 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers are employed in North Carolina. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), 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.