Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in Virginia
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Virginia earn a median of $59,730 a year ($28.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 14,690 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,420 for the top 10%. That is 2% lower than the national median of $61,010. Virginia ranks 33rd of 51 states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers pay. There are 3.6 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,190, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Virginia
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,760 | $19.12 |
| 25th percentile | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Median | $59,730 | $28.72 |
| 75th percentile | $73,440 | $35.31 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,420 | $40.11 |
| Average (mean) | $61,190 | $29.42 |
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 | $4,977.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,488.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,297.31 |
| Weekly | $1,148.65 |
| Hourly | $28.72 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $59,730 salary, see how much house you can afford in Virginia 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 Virginia
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $71,920 | 8,730 |
| Staunton-Stuarts Draft, VA | $62,350 | 230 |
| Harrisonburg, VA | $60,210 | 340 |
| Charlottesville, VA | $59,540 | 420 |
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $59,470 | 2,840 |
| Richmond, VA | $59,130 | 2,700 |
| Lynchburg, VA | $58,500 | 530 |
| Winchester, VA-WV | $56,250 | 200 |
| Blacksburg-Christiansburg-Radford, VA | $50,030 | 190 |
| Roanoke, VA | $49,230 | 660 |
| Kingsport-Bristol, TN-VA | $48,950 | 290 |
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 Virginia
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $49,470 | $23.79 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $64,020 | $30.78 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $47,910 | $23.03 |
| Telecommunications Line Installers and Repairers | $79,090 | $38.03 |
| Helpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers | $38,890 | $18.70 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $76,590 | $36.82 |
| Rigger | $63,620 | $30.59 |
| Maintenance Workers, Machinery | $65,500 | $31.49 |
| Medical Equipment Repairer | $61,070 | $29.36 |
| Home Appliance Repairer | $59,820 | $28.76 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $68,000 | $32.69 |
| Millwright | $51,430 | $24.73 |
| Locksmiths and Safe Repairers | $53,590 | $25.76 |
| Coin, Vending, and Amusement Machine Servicers and Repairers | $44,720 | $21.50 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Virginia
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 Virginia?
The median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Virginia is $59,730 a year, or $28.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,760 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,420 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Virginia?
The top 10% of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Virginia earn at least $83,420 a year. The top 25% earn $73,440 or more.
What is the starting pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Virginia?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,760 a year, and a quarter of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $47,910 or less.
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in Virginia?
About 14,690 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Virginia, not counting the self-employed.