Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in Ames, IA
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $60,430 a year ($29.05 an hour), based on BLS data for 190 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,890 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $61,010. Pay here is about the same as the Iowa statewide median of $60,680. There are 3.4 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $62,030, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,290 | $19.85 |
| 25th percentile | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| Median | $60,430 | $29.05 |
| 75th percentile | $73,540 | $35.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $79,890 | $38.41 |
| Average (mean) | $62,030 | $29.82 |
Half of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,035.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,517.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,324.23 |
| Weekly | $1,162.12 |
| Hourly | $29.05 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $60,430 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $65,190 | 410 |
| Iowa City, IA | $64,440 | 150 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $62,640 | 900 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $62,570 | 1,600 |
| Dubuque, IA | $61,410 | 130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $60,680 | 380 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,400 | 260 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $59,840 | 200 |
Highest-paying states for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $84,390 |
| Alaska | $77,430 |
| Illinois | $77,410 |
| Massachusetts | $77,300 |
| Connecticut | $76,610 |
| Minnesota | $76,350 |
| Washington | $75,660 |
| North Dakota | $74,490 |
| New Jersey | $74,450 |
| New York | $74,430 |
See Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance and Repair Workers, General | $54,770 | $26.33 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanic | $67,250 | $32.33 |
| Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Workers, All Other | $54,950 | $26.42 |
| Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door | $83,010 | $39.91 |
| Electrical Power-Line Installers and Repairers | $100,170 | $48.16 |
| Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics | $58,820 | $28.28 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Mechanics, Installers, and Repairers | $79,080 | $38.02 |
| Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists | $61,360 | $29.50 |
| Farm Equipment Mechanics and Service Technicians | $63,490 | $30.52 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $64,940 | $31.22 |
| Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers | $65,470 | $31.48 |
| Automotive Body and Related Repairers | $58,790 | $28.26 |
More: Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations · all salaries in Ames, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 49-9021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the Ames, IA metro area is $60,430 a year, or $29.05 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,290 for the lowest-paid 10% to $79,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $79,890 a year. The top 25% earn $73,540 or more.
What is the starting pay for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,290 a year, and a quarter of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn $49,840 or less.
How many heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers work in Ames, IA?
About 190 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.