Heating & Air Conditioning at DeHart Technical School

Modesto, CA · Private for-profit · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

with a smaller student body of 80 in Modesto, CA.

Program Analysis

At $43,927 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from DeHart Technical School earn slightly above the $36,779 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Heating & Air Conditioning involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

The median debt load of $8,950 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #77 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places DeHart Technical School in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heating & Air Conditioning reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

53 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
51
Low End
53
Score
53
High End
Earnings $43,927/yr (19% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$460K
1.0% annual growth
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience

Projected 10-Year Earnings

Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.

Median Debt at Graduation
$8,950
2.4 months of Year 1 earnings

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%
Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers
$59,810
+8.1% growth 89% AI-proof

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.

Read the full Heating & Air Conditioning career guide →

Compare & Explore

Heating & Air Conditioning Overview

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does DeHart Technical School's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
A score of 53/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Heating & Air Conditioning field.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
This is one of the more automation-resistant trades. Heating & Air Conditioning work requires physical skill and on-site presence — qualities AI cannot provide. Our model rates it "AI-Proof" overall.
What's the typical debt for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from DeHart Technical School?
At $8,950 in median debt, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from DeHart Technical School carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →