Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Dubuque, IA: $60,569 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Dubuque, IA earns a median $60,569/year (≈ $29.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Dubuque's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.3), that paycheck buys what $69,358 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% above the Iowa state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Dubuque, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers is $60,569 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $60,174. The salary range in this field shows notable variability, with entry-level positions starting at around $37,174 and high earners reaching up to $83,223. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, highlights how residential service companies can significantly drive income through commission structures tied to sales performance. As Dubuque's job market grows, understanding these dynamics becomes essential for those looking to excel in this trade.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,174 | $17.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,569 | $29.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $74,997 | $36.06 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $83,223 | $40.01 |
Median Salary Position
0.66% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dubuque
In Dubuque, IA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,049 (2026 est.). At $60,569, the local median is 0.66% above the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dubuque: You'd be above the median
How Dubuque Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Dubuque median: $60,569/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dubuque Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $60,207 | +0.60% more |
| National Average | $60,174 | +0.66% more |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Dubuque, IA earn a median of $60,569 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.66% higher than the national median of $60,174 and 0.60% above the Iowa state average of $60,207.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dubuque has a cost of living 12.67% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dubuque, IA has a cost-of-living index of 87.328 (below the national average of 100). A heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer earning $60,569 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,358 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.51% 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
$44,680
2025 BLS Actual
$58,340
2026 Current Est.
$60,569
2019–2027 Growth
+40.7%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Dubuque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,540 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,180 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,460 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,340 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,569 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,882 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dubuque metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 30.6% from $44,680 (2019) to $58,340 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,882 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,202 (40.74%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dubuque 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) | $37,174 – $47,480 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,480 – $60,569 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,569 – $74,997 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $74,997 – $83,223 |
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 Dubuque
With 130 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers currently employed in the area, Dubuque presents a steady job market, especially given the local cost of living index at 87.328, which indicates a more affordable environment compared to national averages. Employers such as residential service companies, commercial HVAC contractors, and refrigeration specialty firms typically offer the best pay. High-income opportunities are often found in specialized areas like data center HVAC and commercial controls, where unique certifications and skills can command premiums. The variability in pay largely stems from factors such as specialized expertise, commission incentives tied to sales in residential services, and the increasing demand for heat pump installations spurred by IRS tax credits. For professionals in Dubuque seeking to maximize their pay, focusing on acquiring niche certifications like NATE and actively engaging in high-demand sectors can lead to more lucrative opportunities.
More salary data for Dubuque, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Dubuque, IA in 2026?
Is Dubuque, 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 Dubuque?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Dubuque?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Dubuque?
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 $58,340 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Dubuque 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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