Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive: 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
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Median annual salary
1,737,820 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn $13,520 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 29.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $64,150 for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $31,600 | +$7,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $37,770 | +$10,080 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $46,290 | +$13,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $55,650 | +$19,170 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $64,150 | +$26,870 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $47,640 | +$15,050 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
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 Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $60,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,310 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $56,060 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $53,960 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive 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