SalaryByCity

Food Service 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.

Food Service Managers

$65,310

Median annual salary

244,230 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Food Service Managers professionals earn $5,500 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 9.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Food Service Managers earns $105,420 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Food Service Managers$42,380 – $105,420
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$39,130$105,420

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileFood Service ManagersHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$42,380$39,130+$3,250
25th Percentile$53,090$47,850+$5,240
Median (50th)$65,310$59,810+$5,500
75th Percentile$82,300$74,820+$7,480
90th Percentile$105,420$91,020+$14,400
Mean (Average)$72,370$62,690+$9,680

Employment Numbers

Food Service Managers

244,230

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Food Service Managers

CityMedian
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$95,540
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$86,840
Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO$84,180
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$82,570
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA$82,400

Best Cities for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

CityMedian
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: Food Service Managers or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Food Service Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $5,500 (9.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Food Service Managers?
Food Service Managers salaries range from $42,380 (10th percentile) to $105,420 (90th percentile), with a median of $65,310.
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 Food Service Managers and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 244,230 Food Service 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 Food Service Managers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Food Service Managers has a median salary of $65,310 while Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $59,810. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

Career Resources

Career Change Resources

Explore tools and guides for transitioning between careers.

Professional Certifications

Find certifications that can boost your earning potential.

Online Degree Programs

Browse accredited online degrees relevant to these careers.

Resume Writing Services

Get professional help crafting a standout resume.

Explore More

Cost of Living by CityCollege & University DataSalary Calculators

Was this data helpful?

Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS