Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Salary in Brookings, SD: $49,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer in Brookings, SD earns a median $49,011/year (≈ $23.57/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 49-9021). Once you factor in Brookings's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.8), that paycheck buys what $52,814 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.6% below the South Dakota state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $49,011 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Brookings, SD, the compensation landscape reflects unique local market dynamics. Salaries range from $35,071 at the 10th percentile to $71,545 at the 90th percentile, indicating varied earning potential based on experience, specialization, and employer. These figures derive from BLS estimates based on 2025 data, adjusted for regional price parity, and suggest that while local pay is noticeably lower than the national median of $60,174, opportunities remain robust within this vital service field. Given the increasing demand for efficient heating and cooling solutions, Brookings presents a steady job market for these technical professionals.
About the Brookings Market
Salary estimated from South Dakota average ($54,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,071 | $16.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $40,305 | $19.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,011 | $23.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,012 | $28.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $71,545 | $34.40 |
Median Salary Position
18.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brookings
In Brookings, SD, the heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,474 (2026 est.). At $49,011, the local median is 18.55% below the national median of $60,174.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brookings: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brookings Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installer Pay Compares
Brookings median: $49,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brookings Pays |
|---|---|---|
| South Dakota Average | $53,043 | -7.60% less |
| National Average | $60,174 | -18.55% less |
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanic and Installers in Brookings, SD earn a median of $49,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.55% lower than the national median of $60,174 and 7.60% below the South Dakota state average of $53,043.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brookings 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.
Brookings, 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 $49,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $52,814 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.76% 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
$37,706
2025 BLS Actual
$47,208
2026 Current Est.
$49,011
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Salary Trajectory for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Brookings (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.82% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,706 | Actual |
| 2020 | $39,145 | Actual |
| 2021 | $37,629 | Actual |
| 2022 | $39,764 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,337 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,297 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,208 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,884 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brookings metropolitan area, the median heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary grew 25.2% from $37,706 (2019) to $47,208 (2025). At a 3.82% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,884 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,178 (34.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brookings 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) | $35,071 – $40,305 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $40,305 – $49,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,011 – $60,012 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,012 – $71,545 |
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 Brookings
In Brookings, the job market supports four active heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers, reflecting stable local demand. The cost of living index at 92.8 indicates that while salaries may appear lower compared to the national average, workers enjoy relatively favorable purchasing power. Commercial contractors and larger residential service firms tend to offer the highest pay, particularly for those capable of handling specialized tasks such as data center precision cooling or advanced commercial controls. The pay gap between entry-level and top-tier roles can be attributed to factors such as experience, specialization, and additional certifications like NATE or state HVAC licenses. As the influx of heat pump technology driven by federal tax credits continues, it is pivotal for technicians to position themselves in growing niches to enhance their earning potential in this evolving market.
More salary data for Brookings, SD:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Brookings, SD in 2026?
Is Brookings, SD 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 Brookings?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer salary in Brookings?
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanic and installer make per hour in Brookings?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in South Dakota
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 $47,208 for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installersin the Brookings 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 Brookings 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