SalaryByCity

Carpenters vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Carpenters

$59,310

Median annual salary

697,740 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn $500 more per year than Carpenters professionals — that's 0.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Carpenters earns $98,370 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Carpenters$38,760 – $98,370
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$38,760$98,370

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileCarpentersHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$38,760$39,130$-370
25th Percentile$47,550$47,850$-300
Median (50th)$59,310$59,810$-500
75th Percentile$75,620$74,820+$800
90th Percentile$98,370$91,020+$7,350
Mean (Average)$64,040$62,690+$1,350

Employment Numbers

Carpenters

697,740

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Carpenters

CityMedian
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$80,950
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$78,090
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$77,100
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$76,760
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$76,510

Best Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$83,980
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$77,600
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$76,760
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$76,090
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$75,500

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Carpenters or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $500 (0.8% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Carpenters?
Carpenters salaries range from $38,760 (10th percentile) to $98,370 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,310.
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers salaries range from $39,130 (10th percentile) to $91,020 (90th percentile), with a median of $59,810.
How many Carpenters and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 697,740 Carpenters positions and 396,870 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to Carpenters?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Carpenters has a median salary of $59,310 while Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $59,810. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS