Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $60,980 +2% vs national
Median hourly $29.32
10th percentile $40,240
90th percentile $78,170
Employed locally 200
National median $59,810

Compare Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary & buying power

Type a city below to see how Ames, IA stacks up on salary and cost of living.

Full tool →
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
in
Ames, IA
vs

    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $40,240
    25th
    $49,260
    50th (median)
    $60,980
    75th
    $70,460
    90th
    $78,170

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary vs area income 86% Median Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary is 14% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Anchorage, AK $96,610
    Fairbanks-College, AK $84,230
    San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA $83,980
    Alaska $83,660
    District of Columbia $83,390
    Longview-Kelso, WA $80,890

    Nearby metros — Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    District of Columbia $83,390
    Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA $74,890
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $72,090
    Peoria, IL $66,890
    California $65,290
    Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO $64,990

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Maintenance and Repair Workers, General $52,370
    Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics $52,460
    First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers $76,340
    Industrial Machinery Mechanics $74,510
    Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines $63,880
    Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians $61,670

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ames, IA is $29.32, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $38.41 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salaries?

    The median Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in Ames, IA is 2% above the national median of $59,810. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ames?

    Entry-level Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (10th percentile) earn around $40,240 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,260.