HVAC Tech vs Industrial Mechanic
Side-by-side salary, job growth, and training comparison for 2026
HVAC Tech
$57,300
National Median Salary
Total Jobs422,300
Annual Openings40,100
Training6 mo - 2 yr certificate
Industrial Mechanic
$60,750
National Median Salary
Total Jobs574,500
Annual Openings54,000
Training4 yr apprenticeship
Metric
HVAC Tech
Industrial Mechanic
Median Salary National, BLS 2023 | $57,300 | $60,750* |
Total Jobs Current employment | 422,300 | 574,500* |
Annual Job Openings New + replacement | 40,100 | 54,000* |
Training Time | 6 mo - 2 yr certificate | 4 yr apprenticeship |
* indicates higher/better value. Source: BLS OES 2023.
Top States for HVAC Techs
Alaska$84,670
Hawaii$79,320
Washington$76,540
Connecticut$75,890
Massachusetts$74,210
Top States for Industrial Mechanics
Alaska$87,230
Washington$83,450
Connecticut$80,120
Oregon$78,340
Michigan$76,890