Millwrights vs Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics
Side-by-side comparison of salary, job growth, and training requirements based on BLS data.
Overview
Both Millwrights and HVACR Mechanics are solid blue-collar careers with similar growth projections around 5.5% over the next decade. Millwrights earn a median $65,170 versus $59,810 for HVACR techs—about $5,360 more annually. Millwrights focus on heavy industrial machinery installation and maintenance, requiring strong mechanical aptitude and a 4-year apprenticeship. HVACR mechanics handle residential and commercial heating, cooling, and refrigeration systems, with 3-5 years of training plus EPA certification. Both offer stable employment, good benefits, and pathways to business ownership. The choice often comes down to whether you prefer heavy industrial work or building systems.
Salary Breakdown
Millwrights edge out HVACR mechanics by 9% in median pay—$65,170 versus $59,810. Entry-level millwrights typically start around $40,000, while experienced hands can earn $85,000+ in industrial settings. HVACR techs start similarly but experienced technicians cap around $80,000. However, HVACR offers more overtime potential during peak seasons and emergency calls. Millwrights in specialized industries like power generation or petrochemicals can command premium wages. Both trades offer excellent overtime opportunities, but HVACR's residential emergency work provides more consistent extra income throughout the year.
Work Environment
Millwrights work primarily in industrial settings—factories, power plants, construction sites—often dealing with massive machinery in challenging conditions. Expect confined spaces, heights, and heavy lifting. Travel between job sites is common. HVACR mechanics split time between residential service calls and commercial installations. You'll work in attics, basements, rooftops, and mechanical rooms. Both trades involve physical demands, but HVACR offers more variety in work environments. Safety risks exist in both—millwrights face industrial hazards while HVACR techs handle refrigerants and electrical systems. HVACR typically offers more regular hours, while millwright schedules vary by project needs.
Career Growth
Both paths offer solid advancement opportunities. Millwrights can specialize in specific industries like aerospace, power generation, or automated systems, commanding higher wages. Leadership roles include crew supervision and project management. HVACR techs can specialize in commercial refrigeration, industrial systems, or energy-efficient technologies. Both trades have excellent business ownership potential—HVACR perhaps more accessible due to lower startup costs and steady residential demand. Millwrights often advance to maintenance supervisors or plant engineers. HVACR mechanics can become service managers or start their own contracting businesses. Long-term earning potential is strong in both, with entrepreneurship offering unlimited upside.
Who should choose Millwrights?
Choose millwrights if you're fascinated by heavy machinery and complex mechanical systems. You should enjoy problem-solving with massive equipment, don't mind industrial environments, and want higher base pay. This career suits people who like project-based work, don't mind travel, and thrive in team environments tackling big installations. You need strong mechanical aptitude and spatial reasoning. It's ideal for those who prefer working on large-scale systems rather than dealing directly with customers, and who want to be part of major industrial operations.
Typical path: UBC Millwright apprenticeship; strong mechanical aptitude required
Explore Millwrights →Who should choose Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics?
Choose HVACR if you enjoy helping people stay comfortable and want more customer interaction. You should like troubleshooting building systems, don't mind varied work environments, and want entrepreneurial opportunities. This suits people who prefer steady local work over travel, enjoy seasonal variety, and want multiple career paths—residential service, commercial installation, or specialty refrigeration. You need good customer service skills alongside technical ability. It's perfect for those who want a trade that's always in demand, offers flexible scheduling options, and provides clear paths to business ownership.
Typical path: Apprenticeship or trade school; EPA Section 608 certification required
Explore Heating, AC & Refrigeration Mechanics →The Bottom Line
Both are recession-resistant careers with solid futures. Choose millwrights for higher pay and industrial machinery work. Choose HVACR for customer interaction, business ownership potential, and steady local demand. Your preference for heavy industrial versus building systems work should guide your decision.