Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Natural Sciences Managers: 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?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn $101,370 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 169.5% higher.
Salary Range Comparison
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$39,130 – $91,020
Natural Sciences Managers$79,830 – N/A
$39,130$91,020
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Natural Sciences Managers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $79,830 | $-40,700 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $114,110 | $-66,260 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $161,180 | $-101,370 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $214,820 | $-140,000 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | N/A | N/A |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $173,500 | $-110,810 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Natural Sciences Managers
100,870
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
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 |
Best Cities for Natural Sciences Managers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $222,840 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $221,480 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $219,380 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $208,230 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $199,590 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $101,370 (169.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
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.
What is the salary range for Natural Sciences Managers?
Natural Sciences Managers salaries range from $79,830 (10th percentile) to N/A (90th percentile), with a median of $161,180.
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Natural Sciences Managers jobs are there?
There are approximately 396,870 Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers positions and 100,870 Natural Sciences Managers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Natural Sciences Managers to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers has a median salary of $59,810 while Natural Sciences Managers earns $161,180. 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