Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $74,400 at the median — $35.77 an hour. The range runs from $45K at the entry level to $116K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.59), that's roughly $71,822 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,781/month — about 36.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $74K get you in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
About heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (10th percentile) start around $45K. Mid-career wages sit at $74K.Top earners bring in $116K or more - a $71K spread from bottom to top.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alaska | $84K | +40% | 790 |
| District of Columbia | $83K | +39% | 370 |
| Massachusetts | $77K | +29% | 7,960 |
| Connecticut | $74K | +24% | 4,440 |
| Minnesota | $73K | +23% | 5,190 |
| Illinois | $72K | +20% | 8,510 |
| New Jersey | $70K | +17% | 10,680 |
| Washington | $68K | +13% | 7,090 |
| North Dakota | $67K | +12% | 1,100 |
| New York | $67K | +11% | 22,710 |
| California | $65K | +9% | 34,020 |
| Maryland | $65K | +9% | 6,380 |
| New Hampshire | $64K | +8% | 2,120 |
| Hawaii | $64K | +7% | 1,110 |
| Rhode Island | $64K | +6% | 1,320 |
Track heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Chicago-Naperville-Elgin numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN?
The median is $74,400 a year - that works out to about $35.77 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $44,770, and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can clear $115,570. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $74K enough to live in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,754/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,781/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary go in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin?
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin has a Regional Price Parity of 103.59 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary is worth about $71,822 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.