Des Moines, Iowa · HVAC Technician Salary
Median annual salary for HVAC mechanics and installers in Des Moines, Iowa, estimated from BLS OEWS 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021). Salaries range from $41,411 at the 25th percentile to $74,428 at the 75th.
25th Percentile
$41,411
Median
$55,961
75th Percentile
$74,428
vs. State Median
+7%
| Level | Est. Annual |
|---|---|
Apprentice / Helper 0–2 yrs | $39,173 |
Junior Tech 2–5 yrs | $49,246 |
Journeymanmedian 5–10 yrs |
Open Listings
2
active positions
Salary Range
$58,240
to $72,800
Avg Posted Salary
$65,520
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: ~$59,461/yr
Fewer than 10% of techs hold NATE — scarcity drives the premium
With cert: ~$64,461/yr
Required in ~30 states; often the ceiling without it
With cert: ~$60,161/yr
Opens commercial and government service contracts
| Specialization | Est. Median |
|---|---|
Residential Service Baseline — most common role in the area | $55,961 |
Commercial HVAC RTUs, chillers, AHUs — more system complexity | $63,796 |
Refrigeration Supermarket and cold-chain specialists command a consistent premium | $66,034 |
Controls / BMS Building automation is the highest-paying specialty by a wide margin | $73,869 |
vs. Iowa Median
State median: $52,300/yr
vs. National Median
National: $54,228/yr
Est. median: $54,915/yr
Est. median: $53,869/yr
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Data Sources
City salary estimate derived from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS May 2024 metro-area data (SOC 49-9021) with metro-area wage adjustment factors. 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.
Other cities in Iowa:
Data source: BLS OEWS 2024, SOC 49-9021 · Metro-area adjustment applied · Last updated 2026
| $55,961 |
Senior Tech 10–15 yrs | $64,355 |
Lead / Supervisor 15+ yrs | $71,630 |
Estimates apply BLS-observed seniority wage progression ratios to the Des Moines median. Actual pay depends on employer, company size, and specialization.
With cert: ~$57,961/yr
Premiums are additive and reflect national averages adjusted to the Des Moines wage level. Source: ACCA salary survey 2024.
New Construction Install Steady work but lower wages than service-call roles | $52,603 |
Est. median: $52,823/yr
