Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay in Sioux City, IA: $28.37 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working in Sioux City, IA runs $28.37 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,020 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Weighted against Sioux City's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.5, 14% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,411 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Sioux City, Iowa, the hourly pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers stands at a median rate of $28.37. This figure is slightly below the national hourly median of $28.93, indicating that while compensation is competitive, there is a slight gap compared to the average across the United States. For those working part-time, such as a three-day workweek, this translates to approximately $1,360 weekly or around $70,800 annually before taxes, aligning well with average living expenses in the area, where the cost of living index is below the national average. Entry-level positions may start as low as $18.65 per hour, while experienced mechanics can earn up to $38.83, reflecting diverse opportunities in various settings like residential service routes, commercial HVAC installations, and specialized fields such as refrigeration for supermarkets. These pay rates are drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.65 | $149.17 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.23 | $185.88 |
| Median (P50) | $28.37 | $226.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.43 | $283.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.83 | $310.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Sioux City
Based on $28.37/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.37/hr, a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Sioux City, IA can expect to earn approximately $59,018 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,049. With a cost-of-living index of 86.45 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Sioux City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Sioux City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,134.96 | $4,918 | $59,018 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $680.98 | $2,951 | $35,411 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $453.98 | $1,967 | $23,607 |
Compare HACR Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer (Sioux City) | $28.37 |
| 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 Sioux City, IA earn a median of $59,020 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.92% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 2.00% below the Iowa state average of $60,224.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.37/hr = $35,411/year (purchasing power: $40,959).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,018/year (purchasing power: $68,265).
CoL index: 86.454 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.03/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.33/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.37/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+9.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Sioux City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.03/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.86/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.46/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.70/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.33/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.37/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.46/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 Sioux City grew 1.1% from $27.03/hr (2019) to $27.33/hr (2025). At a 3.82% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.46/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 Sioux City 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 Sioux City
Analyzing the earning potential reveals an interesting picture for part-time and per-diem workers in this profession within Sioux City. A mechanic working 24 hours per week can expect a reasonable take-home compared to full-time positions, and per diem pay for out-of-town projects can range from $80 to $150 per day, often supplementing a base hourly wage of $30 to $55. Residential service companies typically set minimums for service calls between $90 and $180, while self-employed contractors in high-cost-of-living markets can charge effective rates between $90 and $160 per hour during peak seasons. How hourly rates vary across different employer types—such as residential service companies, commercial contractors, and large data center operations—also influences pay scales. Workers often face the trade-off between higher hourly wages without benefits and lower rates with health insurance. Indeed, negotiating effectively in the local market requires an understanding of salary ranges and company-specific compensation packages, which varies widely across Sioux City's HVAC landscape.
More salary data for Sioux City, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Sioux City in 2026?
How much do part-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Sioux City?
Are heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Sioux City 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 Sioux City. 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