Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers: 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
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
Median annual salary
199,800 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $42,800 more per year than Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals — that's 71.6% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $166,960 for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $60,690 | $-21,560 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $79,520 | $-31,670 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $102,610 | $-42,800 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $131,870 | $-57,050 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $166,960 | $-75,940 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $110,260 | $-47,570 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
199,800
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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $165,700 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $139,580 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $131,640 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $127,940 |
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $126,430 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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