Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Paralegals and Legal Assistants: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
Median annual salary
396,870 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Paralegals and Legal Assistants professionals earn $1,200 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 2.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $98,990 for Paralegals and Legal Assistants.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Paralegals and Legal Assistants | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $39,710 | $-580 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $48,190 | $-340 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $61,010 | $-1,200 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $78,280 | $-3,460 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $98,990 | $-7,970 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $66,510 | $-3,820 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Paralegals and Legal Assistants
367,220
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 Paralegals and Legal Assistants
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,740 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $85,230 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $84,950 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $80,550 |
| Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, CO | $79,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Paralegals and Legal Assistants?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Paralegals and Legal Assistants jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Paralegals and Legal Assistants to Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS