Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Marshalltown, IA: $57,344 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Marshalltown, IA earns a median $57,344/year (≈ $27.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Marshalltown's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,434 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.8% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Marshalltown, IA, is projected to be a median of $57,344. This figure is slightly lower than the national average of $60,174, indicating a pay gap that reflects local market conditions. Technicians in this field can expect a salary range between $39,674 and $86,132 based on experience and specialization. With estimates derived from BLS state-level data adjusted for regional price parity, these local figures highlight the sector's divide between commercial services—often paying higher wages due to specialized skills—and residential service roles, which tend to offer variable compensation influenced by commission structures. The job market dynamics in Marshalltown demonstrate that while opportunities exist, the overall compensation remains influenced by the nature of the work environment.
About the Marshalltown Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,674 | $19.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,081 | $21.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,344 | $27.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,348 | $34.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,132 | $41.41 |
Median Salary Position
4.7% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marshalltown
In Marshalltown, IA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,458 (2026 est.). At $57,344, the local median is 4.7% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marshalltown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marshalltown Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Marshalltown median: $57,344/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marshalltown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $60,235 | -4.80% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.70% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Marshalltown, IA earn a median of $57,344 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.70% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.80% below the Iowa state average of $60,235.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marshalltown has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marshalltown, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $57,344 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,434 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$44,117
2025 BLS Actual
$55,234
2026 Current Est.
$57,344
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Marshalltown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,117 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,026 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,525 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,937 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,234 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,344 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,534 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marshalltown metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,117 (2019) to $55,234 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,534 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,417 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marshalltown 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $39,674 – $45,081 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,081 – $57,344 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,344 – $71,348 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,348 – $86,132 |
HACR salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Job Market in Marshalltown
The local job market currently includes eight heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, creating a tightly-knit community within this trade. With a cost-of-living index of 90.4, take-home purchasing power in Marshalltown is relatively stable, yet it emphasizes the need for competitive salary strategies. The highest-paying employers in the area typically belong to commercial HVAC contracting or large data center support teams, reflecting demand for specialized skills such as commercial controls and precision cooling systems. Factors like on-call rotation premiums and state licensing can also elevate earnings. To maximize pay, technicians should consider pursuing additional certifications such as NATE and engaging in high-demand specialties like heat pump installation, which are increasingly sought after due to favorable tax incentives from federal initiatives.
More salary data for Marshalltown, IA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Marshalltown, IA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Marshalltown, IA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Marshalltown, IA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Marshalltown, IA in 2026?
Is Marshalltown, IA a good place to work as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer?
Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Marshalltown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Marshalltown?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Marshalltown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,234 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Marshalltown metropolitan area. A 3.82% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Marshalltown is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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