Iowa · HVAC Technician Salary
Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Iowa, based on BLS OEWS 2024 data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $38,702 at the 25th percentile to $69,559 at the 75th.
25th Percentile
$38,702
Median
$52,300
75th Percentile
$69,559
National Rank
#33 of 51
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $36,610 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $46,024 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs |
Open Listings
1
active positions
Salary Range
$58,240
to $68,640
Avg Posted Salary
$63,440
midpoint avg/yr
Live data from HVACJobs.IO listings — refreshed every 24 hours. Salary range reflects annual equivalent across all active listings.
Required for any refrigerant work; universal vs. type-specific adds ~$1K
With cert: ~$55,800/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$60,800/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$56,500/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the state | $52,300 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $59,622 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $61,714 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $69,036 |
| City / Metro | Est. Median |
|---|---|
| Des Moines | $55,961 |
| Iowa City | $54,915 |
| Cedar Rapids | $53,869 |
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr · Iowa ranks #33 of 51 states
Median: $52,700/yr
Median: $52,800/yr
Median: $51,800/yr
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Data Sources
State median salary from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024 release, SOC 49-9021 (Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). Experience-level and specialization estimates apply BLS-observed wage progression ratios. Certification premiums from ACCA contractor salary survey 2024. Live listing data from HVACJobs.IO employer-posted positions with verified salary ranges.
Every listing on HVACJobs.IO shows the actual salary — no "competitive pay" guessing.
Need to know licensing requirements in Iowa?
EPA 608, state contractor licenses, NATE certification, and more.
Compare with other states:
Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Last updated 2026
| $52,300 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $60,145 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $66,944 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Iowa median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
With cert: ~$54,300/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Iowa wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $49,162 |
| Davenport | $52,823 |
City estimates use metro-area wage adjustment factors derived from BLS OEWS metro-level data.
Median: $51,700/yr
Highest-paying states vs Iowa
