Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Aberdeen, SD: $50,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Aberdeen, SD earns a median $50,415/year (≈ $24.24/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Aberdeen's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $54,327 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a growing emphasis on heat pump installations driven by IRA tax credits, the salary landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Aberdeen, South Dakota, shows promising trends. In 2026, the median annual salary is projected to be $50,415, with salaries ranging from $34,701 at the 10th percentile to $75,513 at the 90th percentile. These figures are based on state-level data and regional cost adjustments, reflecting the dynamics of a local job market where demand for skilled technicians is on the rise. As Aberdeen positions itself to adapt to emerging technologies and evolving regulations, the opportunities for technicians in both residential and commercial sectors are expected to expand.
About the Aberdeen Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $34,701 | $16.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,622 | $19.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,415 | $24.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,685 | $30.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $75,513 | $36.31 |
Median Salary Position
16.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Aberdeen
In Aberdeen, SD, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $40,812 (2026 est.). At $50,415, the local median is 16.22% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Aberdeen: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Aberdeen Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Aberdeen median: $50,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Aberdeen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $53,068 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -16.22% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Aberdeen, SD earn a median of $50,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.22% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.00% below the South Dakota state average of $53,068.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Aberdeen has a cost of living 7.20% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Aberdeen, SD has a cost-of-living index of 92.8 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $50,415 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,327 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,786
2025 BLS Actual
$48,560
2026 Current Est.
$50,415
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Aberdeen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,786 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,266 | Actual |
| 2021 | $38,706 | Actual |
| 2022 | $40,903 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,607 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,623 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Aberdeen metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $38,786 (2019) to $48,560 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,555 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Aberdeen 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) | $34,701 – $40,622 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,622 – $50,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,415 – $63,685 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,685 – $75,513 |
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 Aberdeen
The job market in Aberdeen features just five professionals working as heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, suggesting a limited but stable field. The cost of living index stands at 92.8, indicating that wages may stretch further in this community compared to national averages. Among local employers, those in commercial HVAC, such as contractors servicing industrial buildings and hospitals, tend to offer the most competitive pay. Variability in salaries can be attributed to factors like specialty skills in data center operations or the commission structures prevalent in residential service companies. Technicians aiming to maximize earnings could benefit from seeking residential work that includes commissions or pursuing additional certifications, such as NATE or state contractor licensing, to enhance their marketability. This integrated knowledge can boost their overall compensation, aligning with the projected growth rate of 3.82% annually in this sector.
More salary data for Aberdeen, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Aberdeen?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Aberdeen?
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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 $48,560 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Aberdeen 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 Aberdeen 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