Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: 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?
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers professionals earn $8,810 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 17.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers earns $91,020 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,130 | $38,130 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $47,850 | $45,580 | +$2,270 |
| Median (50th) | $59,810 | $51,000 | +$8,810 |
| 75th Percentile | $74,820 | $61,610 | +$13,210 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,020 | $75,850 | +$15,170 |
| Mean (Average) | $62,690 | $55,100 | +$7,590 |
Employment Numbers
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers
396,870
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
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 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $63,890 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,800 |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who earns more: Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
What is the salary range for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers?
What is the salary range for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
How many Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers 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