Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Network and Computer Systems Administrators: 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?
Network and Computer Systems Administrators professionals earn $36,990 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 61.8% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $150,320 for Network and Computer Systems Administrators.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Network and Computer Systems Administrators | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $60,320 | $-21,190 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $75,860 | $-28,010 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $96,800 | $-36,990 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $123,390 | $-48,570 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $150,320 | $-59,300 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $101,190 | $-38,500 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Network and Computer Systems Administrators
318,570
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 Network and Computer Systems Administrators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $128,620 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $127,030 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $124,050 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $119,150 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $113,030 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Network and Computer Systems Administrators?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Network and Computer Systems Administrators jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Network and Computer Systems Administrators 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