SalaryByCity

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

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

Electricians

$62,350

Median annual salary

742,580 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Electricians professionals earn $2,540 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 4.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Electricians earns $106,030 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Electricians$39,430 – $106,030
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$106,030

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileElectriciansHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$39,430$39,130+$300
25th Percentile$48,820$47,850+$970
Median (50th)$62,350$59,810+$2,540
75th Percentile$81,730$74,820+$6,910
90th Percentile$106,030$91,020+$15,010
Mean (Average)$69,630$62,690+$6,940

Employment Numbers

Electricians

742,580

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Electricians

CityMedian
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$102,070
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$101,600
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI$99,540
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI$95,090
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$95,020

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: Electricians or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Electricians professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $2,540 (4.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Electricians?
Electricians salaries range from $39,430 (10th percentile) to $106,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,350.
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 Electricians and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 742,580 Electricians 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 Electricians?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Electricians has a median salary of $62,350 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