Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Entry-Level vs Senior Salary in Virginia (2024)

How does Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary grow from entry-level to senior in Virginia? State salary progression based on 2024 BLS data.

102% career growth potential

Data: BLS OEWS 2024 • Virginia salary data • Updated 2026-04-06

Entry-Level (P10)
$38,760
$3,230/mo
Mid-Career (Median)
$58,110
$4,842/mo
Senior (P90)
$78,140
$6,512/mo

Virginia vs National Average

Entry-Level (P10)
$38,760
National: $39,117
-0.9%
Mid-Career (Median)
$58,110
National: $57,014
+1.9%
Senior (P90)
$78,140
National: $83,440
-6.4%

Salary Progression: Entry-Level to Senior

The salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Virginia spans from $38,760 at entry-level to $78,140 at senior level — a difference of $39,380 per year.

P10
$38K
P25
$47K
Median
$58K
P75
$70K
P90
$78K

Career Growth Premium: +102%

Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss in Virginia earn $39,380 more per year than entry-level professionals.

Annual Difference
+$39,380
Monthly Difference
+$3,282
Hourly Difference
+$18.93
Growth Multiple
2.0x

Detailed Salary Breakdown by Experience Level

Complete percentile breakdown showing how Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary increases with experience in Virginia, from entry-level (10th percentile) to senior (90th percentile).

Experience Level Percentile Annual Salary Monthly Hourly
Entry-Level P10 $38,760 $3,230 $18.63
Early Career P25 $47,280 $3,940 $22.73
Mid-Career Median $58,110 $4,842 $27.94
Experienced P75 $70,780 $5,898 $34.03
Senior / Expert P90 $78,140 $6,512 $37.57
Key Insight

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Virginia has a moderate salary progression with a 102% growth from entry-level ($38,760) to senior ($78,140). While the growth potential is steady, professionals looking to maximize earnings may benefit from specialization, advanced certifications, or gaining experience in higher-paying states. The gap between median ($58,110) and P90 ($78,140) shows there is still room for meaningful growth beyond mid-career.

How Virginia Compares to Other States

Where does Virginia rank for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers senior-level salaries? Compare Virginia's P90 pay to other top-paying states.

1
$116,480
Entry: $45K
+158%
2
$112,750
Entry: $50K
+122%
3
$106,090
Entry: $38K
+173%
4
$104,630
Entry: $44K
+133%
5
$103,970
Entry: $45K
+131%
6
$101,730
Entry: $52K
+95%
7
$99,310
Entry: $48K
+106%
8
$98,780
Entry: $38K
+158%
9
$98,080
Entry: $41K
+136%
10
$97,550
Entry: $45K
+113%

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the entry-level salary for a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?

Entry-level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss (10th percentile) earn approximately $38,760 per year, or $3,230 per month. Early-career professionals (25th percentile) earn around $47,280. Based on 2024 BLS OEWS data across all U.S. states.

How much does a senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make?

Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss (90th percentile) earn approximately $78,140 per year. Experienced professionals (75th percentile) earn around $70,780. This represents a career premium of 102% over entry-level pay.

What is the salary growth potential for a Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?

The career salary growth potential for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss is 102%. Entry-level professionals start at $38,760, while senior-level can earn up to $78,140 — a difference of $39,380 per year.

Which state pays the highest salary for senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss?

The highest-paying state for senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installerss is Virginia, where 90th-percentile salaries reach $78,140 per year. See the full state-by-state comparison above.

How are entry-level and senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salaries determined?

We use BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024 data. The 10th percentile (P10) approximates entry-level pay — the salary that 90% of workers earn more than. The 90th percentile (P90) approximates senior/expert-level pay — only 10% of workers earn above this threshold. National averages are computed across all reporting U.S. states.

Related Salary Pages

About This Data

Salary percentile data for Virginia from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024. P10 approximates entry-level compensation; P90 approximates senior/expert-level compensation. State averages differ from national averages due to regional variations in cost of living, demand, and workforce composition. Actual salaries vary based on employer, experience, education, certifications, and specific location within Virginia.

Our Methodology · Data Sources · Source: BLS OEWS

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