Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters: 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?
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters professionals earn $3,160 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 5.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $105,150 for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $40,670 | $-1,540 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $48,860 | $-1,010 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $62,970 | $-3,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $81,900 | $-7,080 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $105,150 | $-14,130 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $69,940 | $-7,250 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
455,940
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 Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $100,110 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI | $98,890 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $97,020 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $90,220 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $87,160 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters 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