SalaryByCity

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Mechanical Engineers: 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

Mechanical Engineers

$102,320

Median annual salary

286,760 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Mechanical Engineers professionals earn $42,510 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 71.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $161,240 for Mechanical Engineers.

Salary Range Comparison

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
Mechanical Engineers$68,740 – $161,240
$39,130$161,240

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersMechanical EngineersDifference
10th Percentile$39,130$68,740$-29,610
25th Percentile$47,850$81,800$-33,950
Median (50th)$59,810$102,320$-42,510
75th Percentile$74,820$130,290$-55,470
90th Percentile$91,020$161,240$-70,220
Mean (Average)$62,690$110,080$-47,390

Employment Numbers

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Mechanical Engineers

286,760

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

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

Best Cities for Mechanical Engineers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$147,730
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$145,640
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$128,660
Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX$126,870
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$124,160

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,510 (71.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Mechanical Engineers?
Mechanical Engineers salaries range from $68,740 (10th percentile) to $161,240 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,320.
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Mechanical Engineers jobs are there?
There are approximately 396,870 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers positions and 286,760 Mechanical Engineers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Mechanical Engineers to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers has a median salary of $59,810 while Mechanical Engineers earns $102,320. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS