Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mason City, IA: $57,002 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Mason City, IA earns a median $57,002/year (≈ $27.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Mason City's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $63,055 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.3% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Mason City stands at $57,002, reflecting a modest 5.27% below the national median of $60,174. With a salary range spanning from $38,889 at the 10th percentile to $85,115 at the 90th percentile, professionals in this field can find varying compensation based on their specialization and the sectors in which they operate. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, highlight the importance of commercial versus residential service work; typically, commercial HVAC roles, especially those serving data centers and industrial complexes, are likely to offer higher salaries than residential service positions. In Mason City, understanding this divide is crucial as it influences not only earnings but also job availability within the local market.
About the Mason City Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,889 | $18.70 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,674 | $21.96 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,002 | $27.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,443 | $33.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,115 | $40.92 |
Median Salary Position
5.27% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Mason City
In Mason City, IA, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $46,226 (2026 est.). At $57,002, the local median is 5.27% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Mason City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Mason City Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Mason City median: $57,002/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Mason City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $60,193 | -5.30% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -5.27% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Mason City, IA earn a median of $57,002 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.27% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 5.30% below the Iowa state average of $60,193.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Mason City 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.
Mason City, 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 $57,002 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,055 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% 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
$43,854
2025 BLS Actual
$54,905
2026 Current Est.
$57,002
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Mason City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,854 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,528 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,764 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,248 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,640 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,905 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,002 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,180 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Mason City metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $43,854 (2019) to $54,905 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,180 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,326 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Mason City 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) | $38,889 – $45,674 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,674 – $57,002 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,002 – $70,443 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,443 – $85,115 |
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 Mason City
The local job landscape for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers includes approximately four employed individuals specializing in this field. Given the cost of living index in Mason City is at 90.4, this suggests that the salaries, while slightly lower than the national average, can provide a reasonable standard of living. Major employers include commercial HVAC contractors and refrigeration specialists, with opportunities for higher pay arising in sectors like data center operations and technical support for major manufacturers such as Carrier and Trane. The disparity in pay can often be attributed to specialty skills, particularly in commercial controls or precision cooling for data centers. Furthermore, an employee’s earnings potential can be influenced by factors like commission structures in residential service work or the benefits of holding advanced certifications, such as NATE or state contractor licenses. For those looking to maximize their pay in this market, pursuing additional certifications and focusing on high-demand areas like heat pumps could yield significant returns.
More salary data for Mason City, IA:
- Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Hourly Rate in Mason City, IA
- Entry-Level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mason City, IA
- Senior Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Mason City, IA
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Mason City, IA in 2026?
Is Mason City, 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 Mason City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Mason City?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Mason City?
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 $54,905 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Mason City 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 Mason City 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