Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in Salem, OR
In Salem, OR, heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $66,240 at the median — $31.85 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $91K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.65), that's roughly $63,907 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,560/month — about 36.1% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $66K get you in Salem?
About heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Salem, OR
Entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $66K.Top earners bring in $91K or more - a $44K 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 Salem numbers change.
Related careers in Repair & Maintenance
Frequently asked questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Salem, OR?
The median is $66,240 a year - that works out to about $31.85 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,520, and experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can clear $90,950. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $66K enough to live in Salem?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,143/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,560/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 37.7% 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 Salem?
Salem has a Regional Price Parity of 103.65 (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 $63,907 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.