SalaryByCity

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

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

Construction Managers

$106,980

Median annual salary

348,330 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Construction Managers professionals earn $47,170 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 78.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Construction Managers earns $176,990 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Construction Managers$65,160 – $176,990
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$176,990

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileConstruction ManagersHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$65,160$39,130+$26,030
25th Percentile$83,480$47,850+$35,630
Median (50th)$106,980$59,810+$47,170
75th Percentile$139,330$74,820+$64,510
90th Percentile$176,990$91,020+$85,970
Mean (Average)$119,660$62,690+$56,970

Employment Numbers

Construction Managers

348,330

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Construction Managers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$151,980
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$138,000
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$136,970
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA$128,730
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$128,190

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: Construction Managers or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Construction Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $47,170 (78.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Construction Managers?
Construction Managers salaries range from $65,160 (10th percentile) to $176,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $106,980.
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 Construction Managers and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 348,330 Construction Managers 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 Construction Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Construction Managers has a median salary of $106,980 while Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $59,810. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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