General and Operations 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.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
$59,810
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn $43,140 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 72.1% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
General and Operations Managers$47,420 – N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$91,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | General and Operations Managers | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $47,420 | $39,130 | +$8,290 |
| 25th Percentile | $67,160 | $47,850 | +$19,310 |
| Median (50th) | $102,950 | $59,810 | +$43,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $164,130 | $74,820 | +$89,310 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $91,020 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $133,120 | $62,690 | +$70,430 |
Employment Numbers
General and Operations Managers
3,584,420
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for General and Operations Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $162,480 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $152,090 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $151,420 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $149,260 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $141,280 |
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: General and Operations Managers or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
General and Operations Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $43,140 (72.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for General and Operations Managers?
General and Operations Managers salaries range from $47,420 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $102,950.
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 General and Operations Managers and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,584,420 General and Operations 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 General and Operations Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. General and Operations Managers has a median salary of $102,950 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