Compare careers

Factual side-by-side attributes from the imported O*NET and BLS OEWS datasets. No career is ranked or recommended.

Career A (or your current career)

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Career B (or your target career)

Mechanical Engineers

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Comparison table

MetricHeating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersMechanical Engineers
National median salary$61,010$104,110
Local median salaryNot publishedNot published
National employment409,670296,810
Typical educationNot recordedBachelor's Degree
Job zone34
Important skillsTroubleshooting, Operations Monitoring, Critical Thinking, Repairing, Equipment MaintenanceReading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Science, Mathematics
Related careersHelpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, Sheet Metal Workers, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers, Electrical and Electronics Installers and Repairers, Transportation EquipmentElectromechanical Equipment Assemblers, Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers, Control and Valve Installers and Repairers, Except Mechanical Door, Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers

Career transition: skill overlap

Skill overlap

74%

14 of 19 target skills

Target-only skills

5

Current-only skills

7

Skill overlap compares O*NET skills rated at importance 3.0 or above for each occupation. It is a measure of listed skill overlap, not a probability of getting the job.

Shared skills

  • Reading Comprehension+1.8 level
  • Active Listening+1.0 level
  • Critical Thinking+0.4 level
  • Complex Problem Solving+1.4 level
  • Judgment and Decision Making+1.1 level
  • Active Learning+1.3 level
  • Speaking+0.9 level
  • Systems Evaluation+0.8 level
  • Systems Analysis+0.8 level
  • Monitoring+1.1 level
  • Operations Monitoring
  • Quality Control Analysis+0.8 level
  • Coordination+0.4 level
  • Time Management+0.5 level

Only in Mechanical Engineers

  • Science
  • Mathematics
  • Operations Analysis
  • Writing
  • Technology Design

Only in Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

  • Troubleshooting
  • Repairing
  • Equipment Maintenance
  • Installation
  • Equipment Selection
  • Social Perceptiveness
  • Operation and Control