Machine Learning Engineer vs HVAC Technician Salary
National salary comparison — BLS OES 2024-2025 data
Compare a different job:
VS
QUICK ANSWER
Machine Learning Engineers earn a national median of $158,000/year vs HVAC Technicians at $57,620/year. Machine Learning Engineers earn 64% more nationally. The gap is $100,380 per year — or $8,365 per month.
Built by Pierre — MBA, Business Strategist & AI Consultant, Founder of DayblipAbout the author →
Machine Learning Engineer
$158,000
national median/year
$13,167/mo • $76/hr
VS
HVAC Technician
$57,620
national median/year
$4,802/mo • $28/hr
Annual salary gap
$100,380
Machine Learning Engineers earn 64% more per year nationally. Over 30 years at 7% investment return that gap compounds to approximately $1,137,837.
Best states for HVAC Technicians
vs Machine Learning Engineers
Alaska+$-59,380
West Virginia+$-59,380
Mississippi+$-61,380
Wyoming+$-61,380
North Dakota+$-63,380
Best states for Machine Learning Engineers
vs HVAC Technicians
California+$138,380
Washington+$123,380
Virginia+$117,380
Massachusetts+$111,380
New York+$111,380
Share Your Result
Surprised by this number? Share it with friends and family
Machine Learning Engineers earn more nationally. The median annual salary for Machine Learning Engineers is $158,000 versus $57,620 for HVAC Technicians — a difference of $100,380 per year or $8,365 per month.
The national median salary gap between Machine Learning Engineers and HVAC Technicians is $100,380 per year. Machine Learning Engineers earn 64% more. Over a 30-year career this difference, if invested at 7% annual return, compounds to approximately $1,137,837.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Machine Learning Engineers the highest median salary at $212,000 per year.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, Hawaii pays HVAC Technicians the highest median salary at $74,620 per year.
Salary is one factor — Machine Learning Engineers earn more nationally. But career choice involves job satisfaction, work-life balance, education requirements, and job growth. Computer and Information Research Scientists and Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers both have different educational paths, licensing requirements, and long-term growth projections. Use salary as a starting point, not the only factor.
Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, Machine Learning Engineers earn approximately $76 per hour nationally and HVAC Technicians earn approximately $28 per hour. Actual hourly rates vary based on overtime, part-time work, and whether the role is salaried or hourly.
Methodology: Salary data from Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) 2024-2025. Figures represent median annual wages for wage and salary workers. Self-employed excluded. Hourly rates calculated at 2,080 hours per year. State salary figures from same BLS OES dataset. Updated annually.
