SalaryByCity

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

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

Data Scientists

$112,590

Median annual salary

233,440 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Data Scientists professionals earn $52,780 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 88.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Data Scientists earns $194,410 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Data Scientists$63,650 – $194,410
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$194,410

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileData ScientistsHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$63,650$39,130+$24,520
25th Percentile$82,630$47,850+$34,780
Median (50th)$112,590$59,810+$52,780
75th Percentile$155,810$74,820+$80,990
90th Percentile$194,410$91,020+$103,390
Mean (Average)$124,590$62,690+$61,900

Employment Numbers

Data Scientists

233,440

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Data Scientists

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$173,160
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$166,300
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$157,290
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$135,190
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$131,830

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: Data Scientists or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Data Scientists professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $52,780 (88.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Data Scientists?
Data Scientists salaries range from $63,650 (10th percentile) to $194,410 (90th percentile), with a median of $112,590.
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 Data Scientists and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 233,440 Data Scientists 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 Data Scientists?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Data Scientists has a median salary of $112,590 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