Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
Median annual salary
1,393,310 employed nationally
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education professionals earn $2,530 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 4.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education earns $102,010 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,440 | $39,130 | +$7,310 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,680 | $47,850 | +$2,830 |
| Median (50th) | $62,340 | $59,810 | +$2,530 |
| 75th Percentile | $79,410 | $74,820 | +$4,590 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,010 | $91,020 | +$10,990 |
| Mean (Average) | $69,790 | $62,690 | +$7,100 |
Employment Numbers
Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
1,393,310
employed nationwide
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $100,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,970 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $99,780 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $98,890 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $98,270 |
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: Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
How many Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education 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 Elementary School Teachers, Except Special Education?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS