Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Employment & Job Outlook in California (2024)

California employs 35,630 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals, above the national average concentration.

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • California employment outlook • Updated 2026-04-06

Total Employed
35,630
professionals
Jobs per 1,000
35.63
workers
Location Quotient
4.57
vs national avg
Average Salary
$70K
annual

High Demand in California

The location quotient (LQ) of 4.57 indicates that California has a higher-than-average concentration of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals. This means the job is in high demand relative to other states, suggesting strong local job market opportunities.

Note: Location Quotient (LQ) is the ratio of the percentage of workers in an occupation in a given area to the percentage in that occupation nationwide. An LQ > 1.0 means above-average concentration; < 1.0 means below-average.

California vs National Average

Total Employed
35,630
National: 397,460
9.0% of national
Jobs per 1,000
35.63
National: 7.79
+357.4%
Average Salary
$70K
National: $59K
+17.3%

Top States by Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Employment

#1
37,370
37,370
employed
#2
35,630
35,630
employed
#3
31,910
31,910
employed
#4
22,700
22,700
employed
#5
18,980
18,980
employed
#6
14,450
14,450
employed
#7
13,540
13,540
employed
#8
13,320
13,320
employed
#9
11,520
11,520
employed
#10
10,980
10,980
employed

What Does a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Earn in California?

The average annual salary for a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in California is $70,050. For a detailed breakdown by percentile, entry-level, median, and senior salaries, see the comprehensive salary guide below.

View full salary breakdown →

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Frequently Asked Questions

How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there in California?

California employs approximately 35,630 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals (2024 BLS data). This ranks California among the top states nationwide.

Is Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in demand in California?

Yes — California has above-average concentration of Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs (LQ: 4.57). A Location Quotient above 1.0 indicates higher-than-average demand.

What is the average salary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in California?

The average (mean) salary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in California is $70050/year. See our detailed salary page for percentile breakdowns.

What is a Location Quotient (LQ)?

Location Quotient measures how concentrated an occupation is in a state compared to the national average. LQ > 1.0 means the state has more of that job proportionally. LQ > 1.2 indicates strong demand.

Which states employ the most Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals?

The top state for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers employment is Florida with 37,370 jobs.

Related Pages

Data Source

Employment and location quotient data sourced from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024. This data reflects total employment, jobs per 1,000 workers, location quotient, and average salary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (SOC 499021) in California.

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