You don’t have to pursue an expensive higher-education degree to find a satisfying and challenging career. Vocational education is an alternative for individuals who are looking to work with their hands and develop skills that will last a lifetime. Consider MIAT College of Technology’s HVACR (Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration) program, which trains students for one of the fastest-growing trades in the country.*
Growth and Careers
The fact that people have come to expect temperature control during all four seasons means that HVACR technicians are in demand year-round. There are a variety of tasks, working environments and positions available in the field.[i] The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the field will experience a 21% growth between 2012 and 2022. When it comes to salary, The BLS reports the median annual salary for HVACR Technicians in the U.S. as $51,390 in May 2022.58 This means half earned more and half earned less. Keep in mind that salary can depend on several factors including experience, employer, demand and cost of living in the area.
*Not entry-level salary and is dependent on factors like experience, location, and employer compensation.
HVACR Technology
The HVACR industry is no longer a manual wrench-and-screwdriver type of job. Knowledge of information technology is essential to the modern technician because of advances in equipment design and operation. The job requirements range from configuring a WiFi thermostat to installing and programming an access point for a climate control system in a commercial building. This means that technicians will often use networking skills to assess and troubleshoot problems with new equipment, and that it is important for anyone interested in this field to stay up-to-date on the latest developments.
HVACR Education
Your journey in HVACR education does not have to stop at completing any given training program or getting your associate’s degree. You have the option to pursue a Bachelor’s or even a Master’s degree in HVACR Engineering! The best thing about the field is that it is evolving. More and more equipment is being developed that is dependent on refrigeration and other HVACR technology.
The demand for individuals with HVACR skills is expected to continue to increase, with numerous job opportunities for engineers, technicians, contractors, installers and repair technicians. Also, as people become increasingly environmentally-conscious, energy-efficient, eco-friendly units and green technology are expected to be in particularly high demand. [ii] This means that it is important for anyone who is interested in the field to study new trends and stay up-to-date. Our HVACR instructors educate students about the latest technologies to prepare them to enter the workforce.
Conclusion
Opportunities abound in the HVACR field, especially because of the variety of skills needed to build, repair and maintain equipment. The industry offers individuals a chance to work with their hands and develop problem-solving and critical thinking skills. In addition, most positions require individuals to be mobile, meaning that technicians work in a range of settings and are not confined to a desk. Given the growth, demand and technological development in HVAC/R, there are many reasons to consider pursuing a career in this exciting industry!
If you are interested in learning more about the field, contact MIAT College of Technology in Canton directly at (734) 423-2100. You can also research the HVACR program at https://miat.edu/programs/hvacr-technician-program/.
Important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program may be found here: https://miat.edu/disclosures/
[i] Bohm, S. (2016, May 5). The Demand for HVACR Technicians Is Heating Up in 2016. https://www.refrigerationschool.com/blog/hvacr/demand-hvacr-technicians-heating-2016/
[ii] Explore the Trades. (2015). http://www.explorethetrades.org/hvac/why-become-an-hvac-technician/
58The Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) Program prepares graduates for entry-level positions using the provided training, primarily as HVACR technicians. Estimated annual salary is for Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers as published in the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages. Entry-level salaries are lower for graduates. UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment or salary. Graduates’ achievements vary. Individual circumstances and wages depend on economic factors, personal credentials, work experience, industry certifications, the location of the employer, and their compensation programs. Some graduates get jobs within their field of study in positions other than as HVACR technicians, such as installation technicians and refrigeration technicians. Salary information for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts: The average annual entry-level salary range for persons employed as Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers (49-9021) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is $42,100 to $58,670 (Massachusetts Labor and Workforce Development, May 2020 data https://lmi.dua.eol.mass.gov/lmi/OccupationalEmploymentAndWageSpecificOccupations#). Salary information for North Carolina: The U.S. Department of Labor estimates the hourly median wage for skilled HVACR technicians in North Carolina is $23.08 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, May 2022 Occupational Employment and Wages, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers). The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not publish entry-level salary data. However, the 25th and 10th percentile of hourly earnings in North Carolina are $18.75 and $15.82, respectively.
66For Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects an annual average of 37,700 job openings between 2022 and 2032. Job openings include openings due to net employment changes and net replacements. See Table 1.10 Occupational separations and openings, projected 2022-32, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, www.bls.gov, viewed November 16, 2023. UTI and MIAT are educational institutions and cannot guarantee employment or salary.