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Essex County, NJ · Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic
Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic prevailing wage in Essex County, New Jersey
$81.70an hour, base wage + fringe benefits
$48.73 base wage + $32.97 fringe benefits
Essex County uses the same refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic rates as 20 other counties. See all of them on one page.
On New Jersey public works in Essex County, a refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic must be paid at least $81.70 an hour: a $48.73 base wage plus $32.97 in fringe benefits.
NJDOL county packages of October 19, 2026; this rate, effective May 12, 2026. Rates are those in effect when the contract is awarded, plus every pre-determined increase listed then, from its date (NJDOL FAQ). Checked against nj.gov on October 25, 2026.
NJDOL's posted rates are informational. The public body obtains the project's official determination, and it goes in the contract.
Base wage and fringe benefits: $48.73 + $32.97
The base wage is the taxable hourly wage. NJDOL prints the fringe benefits as one hourly figure, not itemized; it can go to health, pension, vacation and training plans, or be paid as cash where the state allows.
| Base wage (taxable) | $48.73 |
| Fringe benefits (one figure, not itemized) | $32.97 |
| Total hourly rate, as printed | $81.70 |
When does this rate change?
- The rates in effect on the date the contract is awarded apply, plus every pre-determined increase listed then, from its date. A later posting doesn't change an awarded job (NJDOL FAQ). Rates marked expired "remain in effect" until new ones are posted.
- NJDOL reissues a county's package whenever a union agreement changes. This page uses the packages of October 19, 2026 (NJDOL current rates).
Davis-Bacon refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic rate in Essex County
Federally funded or assisted construction here uses the U.S. Department of Labor's wage determinations. Where both Davis-Bacon and the New Jersey Act apply, "whichever rate is higher must be paid" (NJDOL FAQ).
The federal determinations for Essex County list no refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic classification.
Davis-Bacon rates from SAM.gov, read October 25, 2026. Our federal totals are base plus fringe; DOL prints no total. New Jersey Davis-Bacon changes
How Essex County compares
The main refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic rate in every county that has one, and how the pay splits here and nearby. All bars use the same scale.
Every county in New Jersey
Wage and fringe benefits, nearby
- Essex Countybase $48.73$81.70
- Union Countybase $48.73$81.70
- Hudson Countybase $48.73$81.70
- Bergen Countybase $48.73$81.70
Refrigeration & A/C Mechanic rates in nearby counties
Current NJDOL rates. Rates "are generally set for each of the State's twenty-one (21) counties", and some crafts are statewide (NJDOL FAQ).
NJDOL's refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic rates for Essex County are the same as in 20 other counties: Atlantic, Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Hudson and 12 more.
| County | Classification | Base wage | Total rate | vs Essex County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Essex County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | |
| Union County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
| Hudson County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
| Bergen County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
| Morris County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
| Passaic County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
| Somerset County | Air Conditioning & Refrigeration - Service and Repair: Journeyman (Mechanic) | $48.73 | $81.70 | same |
New Jersey refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic prevailing wage by county, with a map
More from NJDOL on this rate
- NJDOL NJDOL county package, page 3
- NJDOL's current prevailing wage rates
- These are journeyman rates. Apprentices registered with the U.S. Office of Apprenticeship get the percentage in the craft's apprentice schedule, with full benefits unless noted.
Are you being paid this rate?
Add your wage to what your employer pays into benefits for you, or pays you in cash each payday, and compare it with the total. Rates for every craft, including future increases, must be posted on site, and certified payroll goes to NJDOL within 10 days of payday (N.J.S.A. 34:11-56.29). NJDOL Public Contracts: (609) 292-2259.
Source
Department of Labor and Workforce Development (NJDOL), NJDOL county package NJDOL-20261019-essex, issued October 19, 2026, effective May 12, 2026, page 3: lwdwebpt.dol.state.nj.us/archivewages/292125119-essex-10-19-2026.pdf
We read every county package of October 19, 2026, including its statewide pages, and check every number with a second, separate reader. Wage plus benefit equals NJDOL's printed total on every step that prints both. How we check · Download Essex County as CSV · Report an error