Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Project Management Specialists: 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?
Project Management Specialists professionals earn $40,940 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 68.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $165,790 for Project Management Specialists.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Project Management Specialists | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $59,830 | $-20,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $76,950 | $-29,100 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $100,750 | $-40,940 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $131,660 | $-56,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $165,790 | $-74,770 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $108,100 | $-45,410 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Project Management Specialists
1,006,160
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 Project Management Specialists
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,250 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $132,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $125,390 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $123,670 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $121,680 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Project Management Specialists?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Project Management Specialists?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Project Management Specialists jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Project Management Specialists 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