Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
Median annual salary
71,620 employed nationally
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn $3,540 more per year than Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare professionals — that's 6.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare earns $96,400 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $37,060 | $39,130 | $-2,070 |
| 25th Percentile | $45,310 | $47,850 | $-2,540 |
| Median (50th) | $56,270 | $59,810 | $-3,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,690 | $74,820 | $-2,130 |
| 90th Percentile | $96,400 | $91,020 | +$5,380 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,640 | $62,690 | $-50 |
Employment Numbers
Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
71,620
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $79,000 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $77,390 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $64,180 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,530 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $61,880 |
Best Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| 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: Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
How many Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to Education and Childcare Administrators, Preschool and Daycare?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS