Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in Columbus, IN
In Columbus, IN, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $50,750 at the median — $24.4 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $93K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 93), which stretches that salary to about $54,570 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,415/month — about 41.6% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $51K get you in Columbus?
About heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Columbus, IN
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $51K.Top earners bring in $93K or more - a $47K 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 Columbus numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Columbus, IN?
The median is $50,750 a year - that works out to about $24.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,210, and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can clear $92,780. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $51K enough to live in Columbus?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,439/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,415/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 41.1% 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 Columbus?
Columbus has a Regional Price Parity of 93 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers salary is worth about $54,570 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.