Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education: 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
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
Median annual salary
1,072,540 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education professionals earn $4,770 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 8.0% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $104,670 for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $47,330 | $-8,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $57,800 | $-9,950 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $64,580 | $-4,770 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $83,010 | $-8,190 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $104,670 | $-13,650 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $73,700 | $-11,010 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
1,072,540
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 Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $103,640 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $103,640 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $99,840 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $99,740 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $99,530 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Secondary School Teachers, Except Special and Career/Technical Education 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