SalaryByCity

Graphic Designers vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Graphic Designers

$61,300

Median annual salary

214,260 employed nationally

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

$59,810

Median annual salary

396,870 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Graphic Designers professionals earn $1,490 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 2.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Graphic Designers earns $103,030 compared to $91,020 for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers.

Salary Range Comparison

Graphic Designers$37,600 – $103,030
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
$37,600$103,030

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileGraphic DesignersHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersDifference
10th Percentile$37,600$39,130$-1,530
25th Percentile$47,200$47,850$-650
Median (50th)$61,300$59,810+$1,490
75th Percentile$79,000$74,820+$4,180
90th Percentile$103,030$91,020+$12,010
Mean (Average)$68,610$62,690+$5,920

Employment Numbers

Graphic Designers

214,260

employed nationwide

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

396,870

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Graphic Designers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$98,530
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$89,490
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$82,630
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$82,360
Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH$78,000

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: Graphic Designers or Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Graphic Designers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,490 (2.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Graphic Designers?
Graphic Designers salaries range from $37,600 (10th percentile) to $103,030 (90th percentile), with a median of $61,300.
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 Graphic Designers and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers jobs are there?
There are approximately 214,260 Graphic Designers 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 Graphic Designers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Graphic Designers has a median salary of $61,300 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