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Occupation · SOC 49-9021

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

There are 409,670 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $61,010 a year. The most jobs are in New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJ.

Installation & RepairTypical education: Postsecondary nondegree award
409,670
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$61,010
Median pay a year
Middle half: $48,360–$77,060
40,600
Annual openings
10-year change: +10.9%
1
LCA filings, last 4 quarters
0 in the prior 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 389 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $77,990 · LCA filings 021,820$77,9900
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $59,560 · LCA filings 010,910$59,5600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $73,830 · LCA filings 010,720$73,8300
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLMedian pay $58,040 · LCA filings 09,140$58,0400
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVMedian pay $71,920 · LCA filings 08,730$71,9200
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $64,580 · LCA filings 08,610$64,5800
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $61,170 · LCA filings 08,070$61,1700
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $58,940 · LCA filings 17,680$58,9401
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $77,960 · LCA filings 07,210$77,9600
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $58,970 · LCA filings 07,060$58,9700

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 90 · LCA filings 0$93,820900
Anchorage, AKEmployment 330 · LCA filings 0$85,6203300
Napa, CAEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$84,570700
San Jose–Sunnyvale–Santa Clara, CAEmployment 1,740 · LCA filings 0$82,0501,7400
Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WAEmployment 3,940 · LCA filings 0$80,1003,9400

Metro areas with the most LCA filings

Labor Condition Applications filed by employers with the U.S. Department of Labor, Apr 2025–Mar 2026. They’re used in the H-1B process and show filing history, not hires or current job openings.

Metro areaLCA filingsEmployers with LCA filingsEmployment
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXEmployers with LCA filings 1 · Employment 7,680117,680

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $67,309 · Level III $79,602 · Level IV $91,894$55,016$67,309$79,602$91,894
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $52,520 · Level III $61,672 · Level IV $70,803$43,389$52,520$61,672$70,803
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $62,109 · Level III $74,506 · Level IV $86,902$49,712$62,109$74,506$86,902
Miami–Fort Lauderdale–West Palm Beach, FLLevel II $51,958 · Level III $59,925 · Level IV $67,891$43,992$51,958$59,925$67,891
Washington–Arlington–Alexandria, DC–VA–MD–WVLevel II $62,234 · Level III $73,632 · Level IV $85,051$50,814$62,234$73,632$85,051
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $58,365 · Level III $69,326 · Level IV $80,288$47,403$58,365$69,326$80,288
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $52,208 · Level III $62,109 · Level IV $72,010$42,307$52,208$62,109$72,010
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $51,397 · Level III $60,299 · Level IV $69,202$42,494$51,397$60,299$69,202
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $66,206 · Level III $79,206 · Level IV $92,227$53,186$66,206$79,206$92,227
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $51,542 · Level III $60,382 · Level IV $69,202$42,723$51,542$60,382$69,202

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)CIP 47.02OPT · up to 12 months114OPT · up to 12 months
Environmental Control Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.05Varies by program112Varies by program

See Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in every metro area

All 389 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Installation & Repair

Maintenance and Repair Workers, GeneralAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsFirst-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and RepairersIndustrial Machinery MechanicsBus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine SpecialistsInstallation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All OtherMobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, except EnginesHelpers--Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology