National salary comparison — BLS OES 2024-2025 data
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Social Workers earn a national median of $54,150/year vs HVAC Technicians at $57,620/year. HVAC Technicians earn 6% more nationally. The gap is $3,470 per year — or $289 per month.
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Social Worker
$54,150
national median/year
$4,513/mo • $26/hr
VS
HVAC Technician
$57,620
national median/year
$4,802/mo • $28/hr
Annual salary gap
$3,470
HVAC Technicians earn 6% more per year nationally. Over 30 years at 7% investment return that gap compounds to approximately $39,333.
Best states for HVAC Technicians
vs Social Workers
Hawaii+$18,300
New Jersey+$12,300
New York+$12,300
Washington+$12,300
Alaska+$10,300
Best states for Social Workers
vs HVAC Technicians
Arizona+$-4,300
Arkansas+$-4,300
Florida+$-4,300
Georgia+$-4,300
Mississippi+$-4,300
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HVAC Technicians earn more nationally. The median annual salary for Social Workers is $54,150 versus $57,620 for HVAC Technicians — a difference of $3,470 per year or $289 per month.
The national median salary gap between Social Workers and HVAC Technicians is $3,470 per year. HVAC Technicians earn 6% more. Over a 30-year career this difference, if invested at 7% annual return, compounds to approximately $39,333.
Based on BLS OES 2024-2025 data, California pays Social Workers the highest median salary at $68,320 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 — HVAC Technicians earn more nationally. But career choice involves job satisfaction, work-life balance, education requirements, and job growth. Child, Family, and School Social Workers 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, Social Workers earn approximately $26 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.
