Heating & Air Conditioning at Charter College
a smaller institution with 2,277 students in Anchorage, AK.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $41,202 at Charter College come in 12% above the national median of $36,779 for Heating & Air Conditioning programs.
The 29.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.
AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
With first-year pay of $41,202 far exceeding the $14,750 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
Ranked #99 out of 260 programs, Charter College's Heating & Air Conditioning offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.
The five-year earnings trajectory from $41,202 to $52,293 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.
With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
Top Career Paths
Top career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates by median salary.
| Career Path | Median Salary | Growth | AI-ProofAI |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers | $59,810 | +8.1% | 89% |
About Heating & Air Conditioning Careers
Your career in HVACR begins with your hands on the tools. As an apprentice, you’ll work alongside a senior technician, learning to use pressure gauges on a residential AC unit or a multimeter to diagnose a faulty furnace circuit board in a chilly basement. Soon, you'll be driving the service van, independently tackling everything from routine maintenance to emergency repairs on commercial rooftops. This is skilled, physical work that requires you to be on-site—it can’t be automated or outsourced.