Accountants and Auditors vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: 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?
Accountants and Auditors professionals earn $21,870 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 36.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Accountants and Auditors earns $141,420 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Accountants and Auditors | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $52,780 | $39,130 | +$13,650 |
| 25th Percentile | $64,660 | $47,850 | +$16,810 |
| Median (50th) | $81,680 | $59,810 | +$21,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $106,450 | $74,820 | +$31,630 |
| 90th Percentile | $141,420 | $91,020 | +$50,400 |
| Mean (Average) | $93,520 | $62,690 | +$30,830 |
Employment Numbers
Accountants and Auditors
1,448,290
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Accountants and Auditors
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $121,630 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $105,750 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $105,100 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $99,440 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,380 |
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 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Accountants and Auditors or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Accountants and Auditors?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
How many Accountants and Auditors and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to Accountants and Auditors?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS