Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses: 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
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
Median annual salary
632,430 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $2,530 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 4.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $80,510 for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $47,960 | $-8,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $55,220 | $-7,370 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $62,340 | $-2,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $73,160 | +$1,660 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $80,510 | +$10,510 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $64,150 | $-1,460 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
632,430
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $92,840 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $90,810 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $80,480 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $79,460 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $78,870 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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