Engineers, All Other vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Engineers, All Other professionals earn $57,940 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 96.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Engineers, All Other earns $183,510 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Engineers, All Other | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $62,840 | $39,130 | +$23,710 |
| 25th Percentile | $85,750 | $47,850 | +$37,900 |
| Median (50th) | $117,750 | $59,810 | +$57,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $152,670 | $74,820 | +$77,850 |
| 90th Percentile | $183,510 | $91,020 | +$92,490 |
| Mean (Average) | $121,720 | $62,690 | +$59,030 |
Employment Numbers
Engineers, All Other
150,750
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Engineers, All Other
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $162,610 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $157,770 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $156,140 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $132,840 |
| Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX | $131,250 |
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: Engineers, All Other or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Engineers, All Other?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
How many Engineers, All Other 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 Engineers, All Other?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS