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Retrofit installer vs air-conditioning mechanic

The differences between retrofit installers and air-conditioning mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a retrofit installer and an air-conditioning mechanic. Additionally, a retrofit installer has an average salary of $45,826, which is higher than the $44,852 average annual salary of an air-conditioning mechanic.

The top three skills for a retrofit installer include HVAC, retrofit and heat pumps. The most important skills for an air-conditioning mechanic are ladders, ventilation, and condensers.

Retrofit installer vs air-conditioning mechanic overview

Retrofit InstallerAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Yearly salary$45,826$44,852
Hourly rate$22.03$21.56
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs15,07035,226
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%Associate Degree, 26%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Retrofit installer vs air-conditioning mechanic salary

Retrofit installers and air-conditioning mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

Retrofit InstallerAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average salary$45,826$44,852
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $62,000Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Alaska
Best paying company-Halifax Health
Best paying industry-Health Care

Differences between retrofit installer and air-conditioning mechanic education

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

Retrofit InstallerAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 47%Associate Degree, 26%
Most common majorCriminal JusticeEnvironmental Control Technologies/Technicians
Most common collegeSUNY College of Technology at AlfredDunwoody College of Technology

Retrofit installer vs air-conditioning mechanic demographics

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

Retrofit InstallerAir-Conditioning Mechanic
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 97.8% Female, 2.2%Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 5.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.3% White, 70.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%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%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between retrofit installer and air-conditioning mechanic duties and responsibilities

Retrofit installer example responsibilities.

  • Move up to crew leader and also gain experience troubleshooting HVAC systems.
  • Service and install humidifiers, oven range hoods, hot water heaters, unit heaters and bath fans.
  • Retrofit fluorescent lighting at various establishments.
  • Field installation of heating, ventilation and air condition equipment for residential customers.
  • Perform installation of missing wiring receive from the production line.
  • work on walk in coolers and freezers and reach ins and ac units braze coppe.r wire units in.

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.
  • Show more

Retrofit installer vs air-conditioning mechanic skills

Common retrofit installer skills
  • HVAC, 42%
  • Retrofit, 33%
  • Heat Pumps, 25%
Common air-conditioning mechanic skills
  • Ladders, 10%
  • Ventilation, 9%
  • Condensers, 5%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Preventative Maintenance, 4%
  • Ice Machines, 4%

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