Architectural and Engineering Managers 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
$59,810
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn $107,930 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 180.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Architectural and Engineering Managers$111,450 – N/A
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$111,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Architectural and Engineering Managers | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $111,450 | $39,130 | +$72,320 |
| 25th Percentile | $134,930 | $47,850 | +$87,080 |
| Median (50th) | $167,740 | $59,810 | +$107,930 |
| 75th Percentile | $207,210 | $74,820 | +$132,390 |
| 90th Percentile | N/A | $91,020 | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $175,710 | $62,690 | +$113,020 |
Employment Numbers
Architectural and Engineering Managers
210,340
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Architectural and Engineering Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $226,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $208,580 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $189,270 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $185,550 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $183,640 |
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: Architectural and Engineering Managers or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $107,930 (180.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Architectural and Engineering Managers salaries range from $111,450 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $167,740.
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.
How many Architectural and Engineering Managers and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 210,340 Architectural and Engineering Managers positions and 396,870 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers to Architectural and Engineering Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Architectural and Engineering Managers has a median salary of $167,740 while Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $59,810. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS