Climate systems and mechanical fault-finding
United States comparison
HVAC Technician
vs Software Developer
See how pay, opportunity, entry requirements and working life differ.
O*NET 30.3BLS May 20252024–34 outlook
Labour market
United StatesCompare Careers
See the trade-offs side by side
Choose two options. The figures update instantly.
OccupationHQ—choose two careers
Technical systems, creative problem-solving
Software Developer
$135,980median annual earningsHigher medianSoftware Developer
More annual openingsSoftware Developer
Lower physical-demand signalSoftware Developer
Exploration tool
What matters to you?
Set what matters most to you.
Fit and similarity scores are experimental OccupationHQ calculations.
Your current mixSoftware Developer leads by 43
Its strongest weighted advantage here is higher pay.
Ten-year projections and openings. Market momentum uses the selected country’s available signal and stays neutral when none is available. Entry-path scoring is a transparent editorial band used by this exploration tool, based on the typical education and credential route shown below.
01
At a glance
Money, demand and entry
HVAC Technician
United States data
Software Developer
A · HVAC Technician$59,810Median annual earningsB · Software Developer$135,980
A · HVAC TechnicianNot availablePublished earnings rangeB · Software Developer$82,460–$214,670trade-off
A · HVAC TechnicianNot availableCurrent employmentB · Software Developer1.7M
A · HVAC Technician8%Projected growthB · Software Developer15.8%
A · HVAC Technician40.1KAnnual openingsB · Software Developer115.2K
A · HVAC TechnicianPostsecondary nondegree awardTypical educationB · Software DeveloperBachelor’s degreetrade-off
A · HVAC TechnicianCertification or licence may applyTraining / credentialB · Software DeveloperNo typical OJTtrade-off
United States figures: BLS OEWS May 2025 and 2024–34 employment projections.
02
Working life
What the work is like
These percentiles describe the work; they do not rate it as good or bad. Select a signal for details. Work signals are native O*NET occupation percentiles.
03
What they share
What these careers have in common
Choose two different careers to view their experimental similarity.
HVAC Technician foundations
- Troubleshooting
- Installation
- Equipment maintenance
Software Developer foundations
- Programming
- Systems analysis
- Complex problem-solving
What a switch would take
Shared strengths are only part of the move
Licences, apprenticeships, education and missing technical knowledge still matter—even when two options share useful skills.
Keep exploring
Profiles and related comparisons
Explore Careers
Twenty options across six fields
Browse the facts, working life and realistic next steps for each one.
Registered Nurse
A people-intensive clinical career centred on patient care, communication and sound judgment.
$97,550 / yearView career →Software Developer
A technical career focused on building software systems through analysis, design and problem-solving.
$135,980 / yearView career →Electrician
A skilled trade combining electrical systems, practical troubleshooting and hands-on work.
$63,190 / yearView career →Accountant
An analytical career built around financial records, controls, reporting and professional judgment.
$83,680 / yearView career →Dental Hygienist
A focused oral-health career combining preventive clinical care with patient education.
$98,100 / yearView career →Medical Sonographer
A medical-imaging career combining diagnostic equipment, technical accuracy and patient contact.
$96,590 / yearView career →Plumber
A skilled trade focused on installing, maintaining and repairing water and piping systems.
$63,800 / yearView career →Graphic Designer
A creative career using visual systems, communication and production tools to shape information.
$62,960 / yearView career →Security Analyst
A technical career protecting digital systems through monitoring, analysis and risk management.
$129,180 / yearView career →Secondary Teacher
A people-oriented career combining subject expertise, communication and classroom leadership.
$72,040 / yearView career →Enrolled Nurse
A practical nursing career supporting patient care under the direction of registered health professionals.
$62,340 / yearView career →Radiologic Technologist
A diagnostic-imaging career combining technical equipment, clinical procedures and direct patient support.
$77,660 / yearView career →Occupational Therapist
A rehabilitation career helping people participate more fully in daily, school and working life.
$98,340 / yearView career →Physiotherapist
A rehabilitation career focused on movement, physical function, injury recovery and prevention.
$101,020 / yearView career →HVAC Technician
A skilled trade installing and maintaining heating, ventilation, air-conditioning and refrigeration systems.
$59,810 / yearView career →Welder
A fabrication trade joining and cutting metal with close attention to precision, safety and specifications.
$51,000 / yearView career →Carpenter
A construction trade building, installing and repairing structural and finished components.
$59,310 / yearView career →Automotive Technician
A technical trade diagnosing, servicing and repairing mechanical and electronic vehicle systems.
$49,670 / yearView career →Financial Analyst
An analytical finance career evaluating performance, investments, risk and business decisions.
$101,910 / yearView career →Systems Analyst
A technology career analysing organisational needs and designing improvements to information systems.
$103,790 / yearView career →How OccupationHQ works
Facts first.
Calculations explained.
- 1Official inputs
Wages and outlook from BLS. Skills, interests and work context from O*NET.
- 2Experimental comparison model
Work descriptors become percentiles across covered occupations; model outputs are clearly separated from official inputs.
- 3Visible trade-offs
No magic “best career.” You see each factor and decide what matters.