Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Yankton, SD: $50,994 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Yankton, SD earns a median $50,994/year (≈ $24.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Yankton's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $54,950 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Yankton, South Dakota, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $50,994 for 2026, which is significantly lower than the national median of $60,174. Local salaries range from $35,602 at the 10th percentile to $73,459 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the commercial vs. residential service divide in the HVAC sector. According to estimates based on 2025 BLS data, the job market in Yankton has implications for compensation, particularly as the demand for skilled workers in both residential and commercial settings continues to evolve amidst technological advancements and increasing energy efficiency standards.
About the Yankton Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,602 | $17.12 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $41,289 | $19.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,994 | $24.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,832 | $29.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,459 | $35.32 |
Median Salary Position
15.26% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Yankton
In Yankton, SD, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $37,857 (2026 est.). At $50,994, the local median is 15.26% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Yankton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Yankton Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Yankton median: $50,994/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Yankton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $53,064 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -15.26% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Yankton, SD earn a median of $50,994 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.26% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 3.90% below the South Dakota state average of $53,064.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Yankton 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.
Yankton, 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 $50,994 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,950 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,232
2025 BLS Actual
$49,118
2026 Current Est.
$50,994
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Yankton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,232 | Actual |
| 2020 | $40,729 | Actual |
| 2021 | $39,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $41,373 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,131 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,118 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,994 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,942 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Yankton metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $39,232 (2019) to $49,118 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,942 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,710 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Yankton 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) | $35,602 – $41,289 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $41,289 – $50,994 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,994 – $61,832 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,832 – $73,459 |
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 Yankton
Currently, only four heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in Yankton, signaling a niche but focused local job market. The cost of living index in the area is 92.8, slightly below the national average, which directly affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Most HVAC technicians in the region can expect competitive salaries, especially those employed by commercial HVAC contractors or data center operations, which tend to pay more due to the complexity of their systems and ongoing maintenance requirements. A significant pay spread exists, driven by specialization in areas like data center precision cooling and residential service company commission structures. For those looking to maximize their earning potential in this market, gaining brand-specific certifications and staying informed on emerging technologies, such as heat pumps incentivized by tax credits, is crucial. Additionally, pursuing opportunities with multi-location franchises or industrial facilities can provide enhanced compensation pathways beyond residential service roles.
More salary data for Yankton, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Yankton, SD in 2026?
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Can heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make $100K in Yankton?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Yankton?
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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 $49,118 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Yankton 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 Yankton 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