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

In the 2025 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS dataset, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in Ames, IA have a median annual salary of $60,430, with 190 recorded jobs in this area. Recorded earnings range from $41,290 at the 10th percentile to $79,890 at the 90th percentile.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS · Data year: 2025 · Last updated: 2026-09-22

Salary overview

Median annual salary

$60,430

Data year: 2025

Hourly median

$29.05

Employment

190

Source

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS

Salary distribution

$41,290
10th
$49,840
25th
$60,430
Median
$73,540
75th
$79,890
90th

Local compared with national

Ames, IA

$60,430

Median annual · 2025

United States

$61,010

Median annual · 2025

The Ames, IA median is 1.0% below the national median in the available dataset (a difference of $580).

Top skills

  1. 1.Operations MonitoringImportance 3.8
  2. 2.TroubleshootingImportance 3.8
  3. 3.Critical ThinkingImportance 3.6
  4. 4.RepairingImportance 3.4
  5. 5.Reading ComprehensionImportance 3.3
  6. 6.InstallationImportance 3.3
  7. 7.Equipment MaintenanceImportance 3.3
  8. 8.Complex Problem SolvingImportance 3.1
  9. 9.Equipment SelectionImportance 3.1
  10. 10.Judgment and Decision MakingImportance 3.1
  11. 11.Systems AnalysisImportance 3.1
  12. 12.Systems EvaluationImportance 3.1

Career information

Education and experience

Experience
Over 4 years, up to and including 6 years
Job zone
3

Technology used

  • Adobe Acrobat
  • Alerton Ascent Compass
  • Atlas Construction Business Forms
  • Autodesk AutoCAD
  • Building automation software
  • Computerized maintenance management system CMMS
  • Contact management systems
  • Cworks CMMS
  • Data logging software
  • Database software
  • Delta Controls inteliWEB
  • Facility energy management software
  • Graphics software
  • Honeywell WEBs-N4
  • HVAC tools software

Common tasks

  • Discuss heating or cooling system malfunctions with users to isolate problems or to verify that repairs corrected malfunctions.
  • Test electrical circuits or components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
  • Repair or replace defective equipment, components, or wiring.
  • Lay out and connect electrical wiring between controls and equipment, according to wiring diagrams, using electrician's hand tools.
  • Schedule work with customers and initiate work orders, house requisitions, and orders from stock.
  • Estimate, order, pick up, deliver, and install materials and supplies needed to maintain equipment in good working condition.
  • Install, connect, or adjust thermostats, humidistats, or timers.
  • Comply with all applicable standards, policies, or procedures, such as safety procedures or the maintenance of a clean work area.
  • Repair or service heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to improve efficiency, such as by changing filters, cleaning ducts, and refilling non-toxic refrigerants.
  • Test pipes, lines, components, and connections for leaks.

Related careers

Occupations recorded as related in the dataset. A relationship does not imply a guaranteed transition.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salary in other locations

Other occupations in Ames, IA