What a refrigeration and HVAC-R mechanic earns depends as much on where they work as on how long they have done it. Commercial and industrial construction, the cold-chain and food-processing base, whether certification is compulsory, and the local cost of living all push the range. The table below shows the official Job Bank wage band by province for 2026.
These are hourly low-to-high bands from Job Bank Canada, classified under NOC 72402 (Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics), updated November 19, 2025. The national median is $37.50 per hour.
| Province | Hourly low to high |
|---|---|
| British Columbia | $24.23 to $62.00 |
| Alberta | $25.00 to $54.00 |
| Saskatchewan | $28.50 to $59.00 |
| Manitoba | $18.00 to $45.00 |
| Ontario | $21.00 to $58.00 |
| Quebec | $22.40 to $46.08 |
| New Brunswick | $20.50 to $45.63 |
| Nova Scotia | $20.70 to $53.85 |
| Prince Edward Island | $21.02 to $34.02 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | $20.00 to $46.00 |
The territories are not shown because Job Bank does not publish a wage band for this occupation in the Northwest Territories, Nunavut, or Yukon.
What drives the spread
- Commercial and industrial refrigeration demand, the year-round, high-value work, lifts pay where the cold-chain and food base is strong
- Compulsory certification in seven provinces supports pay for qualified mechanics
- Industrial and resource activity in Alberta and Saskatchewan pushes the upper end
- Cost of living lifts the floor in British Columbia, Alberta, and the Greater Toronto Area
Reading the ranges
These bands cover NOC 72402. Apprentices sit toward the floor while they train, and certified mechanics with commercial refrigeration, ammonia or CO2, and industrial experience sit toward the ceiling, especially where emergency and on call work is part of the role.
Sources: Job Bank Canada provincial wage data (NOC 72402, updated November 19, 2025) and Statistics Canada Labour Force Survey.
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