Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Dubuque, IA: $29.12 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Dubuque, IA runs $29.12 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $60,569 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Dubuque's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.3, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,344 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at a competitive $29.12. This rate surpasses the national median of $28.93, highlighting the strong demand for skilled technicians in the local market. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-per-week schedule, this hourly rate translates to a potential gross income of approximately $40,000 annually, assuming 24 hours of work per week. In contrast, per-diem workers who operate in settings like commercial HVAC or residential service routes can add significant daily earnings of around $90 to $180 for service calls. The hourly wage for these professionals ranges from $17.87 at entry-level positions to $40.01 for experienced installers, indicating the potential for growth and higher earnings in specialized or self-employed roles. This information is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.87 | $142.94 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.83 | $182.64 |
| Median (P50) | $29.12 | $232.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.06 | $288.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.01 | $320.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Dubuque
Based on $29.12/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.12/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Dubuque, IA can expect to earn approximately $60,573 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,946. With a cost-of-living index of 87.33 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Dubuque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Dubuque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,164.86 | $5,048 | $60,573 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $698.92 | $3,029 | $36,344 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $465.94 | $2,019 | $24,229 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Dubuque) | $29.12 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| Plumber (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic (National Avg) | $29.53 |
| Auto Service Technician (National Avg) | $24.83 |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $60,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% above the Iowa state average of $60,207.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.12/hr = $36,344/year (purchasing power: $41,617).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $60,573/year (purchasing power: $69,362).
CoL index: 87.328 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.12/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $21.89/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.38/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $24.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.52/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.12/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.23/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Dubuque grew 30.6% from $21.48/hr (2019) to $28.05/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.23/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.82% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer in Dubuque
Exploring the earning potential for part-time and per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers reveals a nuanced landscape in Dubuque, IA. Working 24 hours a week at the local hourly rate, part-time professionals might bring home roughly $40,000 before taxes. Conversely, per-diem heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay in Dubuque varies widely; those working on out-of-town commercial or industrial projects can expect between $30 and $55 per hour, with additional per-diem ranging from $80 to $150 daily. Additionally, the variability of earnings across different employer types is significant; residential service companies and large commercial HVAC contractors often provide varying hourly rates reflective of their business models. While some technicians may opt for lower hourly wages at larger firms in exchange for benefits like health insurance, others may prefer the higher hourly rate at smaller, self-employed jobs despite lacking benefits. For those negotiating pay, knowledge of local industry standards and having clear expectations about benefits can serve as critical leverage in achieving favorable hourly conditions in Dubuque.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Dubuque in 2026?
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Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Dubuque paid hourly or salary?
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Written by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician
Career Analyst
Jordan has 10 years of experience in HVAC systems. He specializes in residential installation and maintenance.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Dubuque. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.82%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers (SOC 49-9021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, HVAC Technician, a licensed heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov