Air-conditioning mechanic vs mechanic

The differences between air-conditioning mechanics and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become an air-conditioning mechanic, becoming a mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, which is higher than the $44,852 average annual salary of an air-conditioning mechanic.

The top three skills for an air-conditioning mechanic include ladders, ventilation and condensers. The most important skills for a mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Air-conditioning mechanic vs mechanic overview

	Air-Conditioning Mechanic	Mechanic
Yearly salary	$44,852	$47,149
Hourly rate	$21.56	$22.67
Growth rate	5%	4%
Number of jobs	35,226	100,534
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 26%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	4	2

Air-conditioning mechanic vs mechanic salary

Air-conditioning mechanics and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Air-Conditioning Mechanic	Mechanic
Average salary	$44,852	$47,149
Salary range	Between $32,000 And $62,000	Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	San Francisco, CA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Connecticut
Best paying company	Halifax Health	Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry	Health Care	Manufacturing

Differences between air-conditioning mechanic and mechanic education

There are a few differences between an air-conditioning mechanic and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Air-Conditioning Mechanic	Mechanic
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 26%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Environmental Control Technologies/Technicians	Automotive Technology
Most common college	Dunwoody College of Technology	-

Air-conditioning mechanic vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between air-conditioning mechanics' and mechanics' demographics:

	Air-Conditioning Mechanic	Mechanic
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.1% Asian, 2.5% White, 62.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between air-conditioning mechanic and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Air-conditioning mechanic example responsibilities.

Maintain the equipment by reassembling the evaporators, condensers and receivers, repackaging the valves.
Repair freezers, swamp coolers, condensers, pumps and other relate equipment.
Maintain drains, PVC, piping, and systems for inspectional services reviews.
Experience in soldering and brazing for heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration piping.
Install and repair ventilation systems in the dining facility and buildings (whole compound).
Specialize in brazing copper pipe (flexible and hard) and the installation of duct/ventilation system according to blueprint.

Mechanic example responsibilities.

Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.

Air-conditioning mechanic vs mechanic skills

Common air-conditioning mechanic skills

Ladders, 10%
Ventilation, 9%
Condensers, 5%
Hand Tools, 5%
Preventative Maintenance, 4%
Ice Machines, 4%

Common mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 7%
Diagnosis, 6%
Electrical Systems, 5%

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Installation, Maintenance and Repair Industry
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Air-Conditioning Mechanic vs Mechanic

Updated January 8, 2025

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