Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers: 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?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn $2,370 more per year than Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers professionals — that's 4.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $78,800 for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $38,640 | +$490 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $47,230 | +$620 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $57,440 | +$2,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $65,520 | +$9,300 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $78,800 | +$12,220 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $58,400 | +$4,290 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
2,070,480
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $65,220 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS