Signal and Track Switch Repairers vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers: Salary, Job Outlook & Education | Career Matchup
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Career comparison

Signal and Track Switch Repairers vs Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Compare the evidence side by side. Career Matchup shows the source data without declaring an overall winner.

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01 · Compensation

Pay and employment

Median annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$92,460
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$61,010
66% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

Mean annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$90,410
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$64,780
72% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

Hourly median wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$44.45
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$29.33
66% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

Hourly mean wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$43.47
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$31.14
72% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

10th percentile annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$62,610
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$40,050
64% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

25th percentile annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$79,720
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$48,360
61% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

75th percentile annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$99,320
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$77,060
78% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

90th percentile annual wage

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers$119,550
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers$95,210
80% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

National employment

2025

Signal and Track Switch Repairers8,720
6% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers409,670
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
Release: May 2025 · Reference/year: 2025 · Occupation code: 49-9021

02 · Outlook

Employment outlook

Bars compare the same metric across the two careers. They are not an overall score.

Projected employment change

2025-2035

Signal and Track Switch Repairers1.8%
17% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers10.9%
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9021

Average annual openings

2025-2035

Signal and Track Switch Repairers0.8k
6% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers40.6k
100% relative comparison

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9021

03 · Preparation

Education and training

Typical entry-level education

2025-2035

Signal and Track Switch RepairersHigh school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersPostsecondary nondegree award

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9021

Related work experience

2025-2035

Signal and Track Switch RepairersNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersNot available

Value missing or suppressed in source.

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9021

On-the-job training

2025-2035

Signal and Track Switch RepairersModerate-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9097

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersLong-term on-the-job training

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · Employment Projections
Release: 2025-2035 · Reference/year: 2025-2035 · Occupation code: 49-9021

04 · Context and fit

Work context

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Contact with others

Signal and Track Switch Repairers4 raw · CX scale
75% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers4.7 raw · CX scale
93% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Time pressure

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3.9 raw · CX scale
72% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers4.4 raw · CX scale
84% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Spend time standing

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3.6 raw · CX scale
66% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3.7 raw · CX scale
67% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Exposed to contaminants

Signal and Track Switch Repairers4 raw · CX scale
75% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers4.6 raw · CX scale
89% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Exposed to disease or infections

Signal and Track Switch Repairers1.2 raw · CX scale
5% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1.2 raw · CX scale
5% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Exposed to hazardous equipment

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3.6 raw · CX scale
64% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3.8 raw · CX scale
71% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

04 · Context and fit

Skills

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Critical thinking

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3.4 raw · LV scale
48% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3.8 raw · LV scale
54% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Monitoring

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3.1 raw · LV scale
45% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Active learning

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Active listening

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Writing

Signal and Track Switch Repairers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Reading comprehension

Signal and Track Switch Repairers2.9 raw · LV scale
41% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Learning strategies

Signal and Track Switch Repairers2.8 raw · LV scale
39% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and InstallersNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Speaking

Signal and Track Switch Repairers2.5 raw · LV scale
36% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers3 raw · LV scale
43% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Mathematics

Signal and Track Switch RepairersNot available

Source metadata unavailable

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2.6 raw · LV scale
37% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

04 · Context and fit

Work styles

Only compatible O*NET scales are compared together. Relative bars preserve the source scale interpretation.

Dependability

Signal and Track Switch Repairers2.5 raw · WI scale
92% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2.7 raw · WI scale
94% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Attention to detail

Signal and Track Switch Repairers2.4 raw · WI scale
91% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers2.5 raw · WI scale
92% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Stress tolerance

Signal and Track Switch Repairers1.4 raw · WI scale
73% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1.5 raw · WI scale
75% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Cooperation

Signal and Track Switch Repairers0.7 raw · WI scale
61% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9097.00

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers1.1 raw · WI scale
68% relative

Source: O*NET Resource Center · O*NET Database
Release: 31.0 · Reference/year: August 2026 · Occupation code: 49-9021.00

Explore your next step

Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Read the full profile, preparation, skills and source details.

  • Use the career comparison checklist
  • Electrician vs HVAC Technician: Pay, Training & Work

Sources

Each side retains the source release, reference period, occupation code, and file hash used for the comparison.

Signal and Track Switch Repairers

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 49-9097 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 49-9097 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 49-9097.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers

Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release May 2025 · Reference 2025

Occupation code 49-9021 · SHA-256 b5855a37f3e03e779f6fbf173d3bbc94aeeff33426aef32fa95ce6d025bab1af

Employment Projections

Source-backed

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Release 2025-2035 · Reference 2025-2035

Occupation code 49-9021 · SHA-256 a7d060f0576f7d4f5b829b9a0bb4a6c11a12766d159ebb0e07aab5bd2e7583c5

O*NET Database

Source-backed

O*NET Resource Center

Release 31.0 · Reference August 2026

Occupation code 49-9021.00 · SHA-256 c63ad00a8e45f3d3ef8e1529fcf8864d2279f2dfcb98737436818f5664781b04

Read the data in context

Career Matchup does not declare an overall winner. National estimates can hide local variation, and O*NET relative values describe the named construct rather than whether a career is better.

Career Matchup is an independent comparison tool.

Data sourcesData availabilityAboutFree guideContactPrivacyTermsData: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and O*NET® Database.