Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Urbandale, IA: $57,526 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Urbandale, IA earns a median $57,526/year (≈ $27.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Urbandale's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,635 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.5% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Urbandale, Iowa, can expect a median annual salary of $57,526. This figure, while lower than the national median of $60,174, encompasses a full salary range from $40,035 at the 10th percentile to approximately $86,753 at the 90th percentile. As local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data project, these salaries reflect the specific economic conditions and cost of living, with Urbandale's index at 90.4, which is below the national average. This financial backdrop highlights a nuanced job market where commission structures can significantly influence total pay, especially within the residential service sector, setting the stage for varied earnings depending on individual performance and the employer's operational dynamics.
About the Urbandale Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,035 | $19.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,721 | $22.47 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,526 | $27.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,743 | $34.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,753 | $41.70 |
Median Salary Position
4.4% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urbandale
In Urbandale, IA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,718 (2026 est.). At $57,526, the local median is 4.4% below the national median of $60,174.
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At 40 hours/week in Urbandale: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urbandale Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Urbandale median: $57,526/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urbandale Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $60,236 | -4.50% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -4.40% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Urbandale, IA earn a median of $57,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.40% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 4.50% below the Iowa state average of $60,236.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urbandale 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.
Urbandale, 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 $57,526 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,635 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,256
2025 BLS Actual
$55,409
2026 Current Est.
$57,526
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Urbandale (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,256 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,946 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,166 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,672 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,096 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,409 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,526 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,723 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urbandale metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $44,256 (2019) to $55,409 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,723 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,467 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urbandale 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) | $40,035 – $46,721 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,721 – $57,526 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,526 – $71,743 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,743 – $86,753 |
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 Urbandale
With only 12 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in Urbandale, the local workforce remains quite specialized. The area’s cost of living index suggests that the take-home pay for these professionals is reasonably competitive, though it doesn't match national standards. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include residential service companies—such as Carrier dealers and Trane Comfort Specialists—as well as commercial HVAC contractors that service industrial sectors and healthcare facilities. The variance in pay can largely be attributed to factors like the service type, commission and spiff structures at residential providers, and the increased demand for specialized services such as heat pump installations driven by new tax credits under the Inflation Reduction Act. For technicians looking to maximize their earnings in this specific market, earning NATE certifications and pursuing opportunities with larger HVAC firms or specialty contractors is advisable, as these avenues often come with additional benefits and higher pay scales.
More salary data for Urbandale, 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 $55,409 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Urbandale 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 Urbandale 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