Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Muscatine, IA: $56,231 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Muscatine, IA earns a median $56,231/year (≈ $27.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Muscatine's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $62,202 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, professionals in Muscatine, Iowa working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $56,231. This figure is notably below the national median of $60,174, reflecting the local labor market dynamics. The salary range spans from $41,202 at the 10th percentile to as high as $83,083 for those at the 90th percentile. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional cost considerations. In the Muscatine market, the salary landscape is influenced by a divide between commercial systems, such as data centers, and residential services, where the latter often offers variable pay structures that can significantly impact earnings based on commission incentives.
About the Muscatine Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,202 | $19.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,988 | $22.59 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $56,231 | $27.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $69,595 | $33.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,083 | $39.94 |
Median Salary Position
6.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muscatine
In Muscatine, IA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,881 (2026 est.). At $56,231, the local median is 6.55% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Muscatine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muscatine Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Muscatine median: $56,231/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muscatine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $60,204 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -6.55% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Muscatine, IA earn a median of $56,231 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.55% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 6.60% below the Iowa state average of $60,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muscatine 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.
Muscatine, 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 $56,231 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,202 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,260
2025 BLS Actual
$54,162
2026 Current Est.
$56,231
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Muscatine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,260 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,912 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,172 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,622 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,868 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,969 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,162 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,231 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,379 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muscatine metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,260 (2019) to $54,162 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,379 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,119 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muscatine 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) | $41,202 – $46,988 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,988 – $56,231 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $56,231 – $69,595 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $69,595 – $83,083 |
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 Muscatine
Muscatine's job market includes a modest workforce of five heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, indicating a relatively niche employment landscape. The cost of living index in Muscatine stands at 90.4, making it slightly more affordable compared to national averages, which enhances the purchasing power of local salaries. Employers range from residential service companies to commercial HVAC contractors and large data center operations, each presenting distinct earning potentials. Technicians focusing on specialized skills, such as commercial controls or data center precision cooling, typically command higher wages compared to those engaged primarily in residential service. To maximize earnings in Muscatine, technicians should pursue additional certifications like EPA Section 608 or NATE while considering the growing demand for heat pump technology influenced by recent federal tax credits. This blend of experience and specialization can enhance pay and stability in this evolving market.
More salary data for Muscatine, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
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 $54,162 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Muscatine 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 Muscatine 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