State comparison · 2025
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics salary: Illinois vs South Dakota
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics in Illinois earn a median of $77,410. In South Dakota, $61,390. After cost-of-living, the gap is 11.7% — not 26.1%.
Nominal pay gap
+26.1%
Illinois vs South Dakota
COL-adjusted gap
+11.7%
After BEA Regional Price Parities
Illinois
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics
- Median
- $77,410
- p25
- $60,200
- p75
- $96,030
- p10
- $46,690
- p90
- $117,550
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 100.0
South Dakota
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics
- Median
- $61,390
- p25
- $51,480
- p75
- $65,940
- p10
- $48,420
- p90
- $75,190
- COL index (BEA RPP)100 = US average
- 88.6
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. Cost-of-living adjustment from BEA Regional Price Parities (overall index). Hiring velocity from DOL OFLC public disclosure data, recent 180 days vs prior. See methodology.