Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Iowa: $61,185 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Iowa's 26 metropolitan areas, the average median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay sits at $61,185/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 49-9021. Because Iowa sits at BEA RPP 90.4 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $67,683 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Davenport ($61,931), Iowa City ($61,218), Des Moines ($59,508).
The average median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Iowa is projected to be $61,185 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $60,174, reflecting a 1.7% advantage. The highest salaries can be found in Davenport at $64,297, while Fort Dodge offers the lowest at $55,267, creating a salary gap of $9,030 between these cities. This difference can be attributed to varying local demand for skilled technicians, cost of living, and the presence of industrial and commercial clients in certain areas. Iowa has specific licensing requirements and scope of practice laws that technicians must adhere to, impacting job readiness and market entry. As of 2026, there are 2,756 employed in this sector, and the job market is expected to grow at an annual rate of 3.82%. This growth is driven by increased demand for HVAC systems in homes and businesses, alongside maintenance needs due to weather extremes in the Midwest. The top cities for projected salaries, including Iowa City at $63,557 and Des Moines at $61,781, indicate that metropolitan areas offer better compensation opportunities. As skilled labor remains essential in this field, prospects for future employment continue to look stable and promising.
Iowa Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Range
Overall salary range in Iowa: $37,174 (lowest entry-level) to $98,896 (highest top earner)
Iowa vs National Average
Iowa heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn 1.68% more than the national median (+$1,011/year difference).
Iowa Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Distribution (2026)
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer salaries in Iowa range from $42,871 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $91,313 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,185. The Iowa median is $1,011 above the US national median of $60,174. The average hourly rate is $29.41/hr. Approximately 2,756 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installers are employed across 26 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,277
2025 BLS Actual
$58,934
2026 Current Est.
$61,185
2019–2027 Growth
+17.0%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Iowa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,277 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,761 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,827 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,719 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,706 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,742 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,934 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,185 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,522 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Iowa metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 8.6% from $54,277 (2019) to $58,934 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,522 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,245 (17.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Iowa 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Iowa
Lowest Paying Cities in Iowa
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Fort Dodge | $55,267 |
| Johnston | $55,883 |
| Ottumwa | $56,018 |
| Muscatine | $56,231 |
| Clinton | $56,499 |
Best Value Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Iowa
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Iowa cities offer the most purchasing power for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Davenport | $64,297 | 89.079 | $72,180 |
| Iowa City | $63,557 | 91.509 | $69,454 |
| Dubuque | $60,569 | 87.328 | $69,358 |
| Waterloo | $59,572 | 87.057 | $68,429 |
| Sioux City | $59,020 | 86.454 | $68,268 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Iowa
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $42,871 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,185 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $91,313 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Iowa metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 26 Cities in Iowa
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Davenport | $64,297 |
| 2 | Iowa City | $63,557 |
| 3 | Des Moines | $61,781 |
| 4 | West Des Moines | $60,983 |
| 5 | Cedar Falls | $60,842 |
| 6 | Dubuque | $60,569 |
| 7 | Cedar Rapids | $59,848 |
| 8 | Ames | $59,602 |
| 9 | Waterloo | $59,572 |
| 10 | Marion | $59,203 |
| 11 | Sioux City | $59,020 |
| 12 | Ankeny | $58,512 |
| 13 | Council Bluffs | $58,144 |
| 14 | Burlington | $57,811 |
| 15 | Waukee | $57,603 |
| 16 | Urbandale | $57,526 |
| 17 | Bettendorf | $57,521 |
| 18 | Marshalltown | $57,344 |
| 19 | Coralville | $57,268 |
| 20 | Mason City | $57,002 |
| 21 | North Liberty | $56,779 |
| 22 | Clinton | $56,499 |
| 23 | Muscatine | $56,231 |
| 24 | Ottumwa | $56,018 |
| 25 | Johnston | $55,883 |
| 26 | Fort Dodge | $55,267 |
More Iowa Salary Data
Hourly Rates
Explore heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer hourly pay in Iowa cities.
Entry Level
Starting salaries for new heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers.
Explore More Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Iowa in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Iowa?
How does Iowa heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Iowa?
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in Iowa?
Which Iowa city offers the best value for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation across Iowa. State averages are employment-weighted across 26 metro areas — larger metro areas with more heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installerscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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