Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in Illinois
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Illinois earn a median of $77,410 a year ($37.21 an hour), based on BLS data for 9,740 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,550 for the top 10%. That is 27% higher than the national median of $61,010. Illinois ranks 3rd of 51 states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 1.6 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.61). The average (mean) salary is $77,570, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,690 | $22.45 |
| 25th percentile | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Median | $77,410 | $37.21 |
| 75th percentile | $96,030 | $46.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $117,550 | $56.51 |
| Average (mean) | $77,570 | $37.29 |
Half of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $6,450.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,225.42 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,977.31 |
| Weekly | $1,488.65 |
| Hourly | $37.21 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $77,410 salary, see how much house you can afford in Illinois at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Peoria, IL | $78,710 | 370 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $77,960 | 7,210 |
| Decatur, IL | $77,770 | 90 |
| Rockford, IL | $75,070 | 190 |
| Champaign-Urbana, IL | $74,880 | 240 |
| Springfield, IL | $70,730 | 110 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,190 | 410 |
| Bloomington, IL | $64,030 | 140 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $63,000 | 2,980 |
| Kankakee, IL | $62,570 | 50 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $56,610 | 90 |
| Cape Girardeau, MO-IL | $47,150 | 110 |
Highest-paying states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,390 |
| Alaska | $77,430 |
| Illinois | $77,410 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 |
| Washington | $75,660 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 |
| New York | $74,430 |
See Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay in every state.
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $56,720 | $27.27 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $76,200 | $36.63 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $55,780 | $26.82 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $108,120 | $51.98 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $67,380 | $32.40 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $70,700 | $33.99 |
| Millwright | $66,640 | $32.04 |
| Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers | $45,560 | $21.90 |
| Mechanical Door Repairer | $65,090 | $31.29 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $39,730 | $19.10 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $56,860 | $27.34 |
| Signal and Track Switch Repairers | $95,610 | $45.96 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $59,300 | $28.51 |
| Locksmiths and Safe Repairers | $58,110 | $27.94 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Illinois?
The median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Illinois is $77,410 a year, or $37.21 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,690 for the lowest-paid 10% to $117,550 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Illinois?
The top 10% of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Illinois earn at least $117,550 a year. The top 25% earn $96,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,690 a year, and a quarter of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $60,200 or less.
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in Illinois?
About 9,740 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.