Heating & Air Conditioning at ETI School of Skilled Trades

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

a compact campus enrolling 363 students in Willowbrook, IL.

Program Analysis

At $39,169 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from ETI School of Skilled Trades earn slightly above the $36,779 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 18% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #107 out of 260 programs, ETI School of Skilled Trades's Heating & Air Conditioning offering sits in the upper half but doesn't break into the top tier.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $39,169 to $48,180 shows 23% 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.

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $39,169/yr (6% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$500K
5.3% 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
$9,500
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$48,180
23% growth from Year 1

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

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at ETI School of Skilled Trades?
A score of 51/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the Heating & Air Conditioning field.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
Highly resilient. Heating & Air Conditioning careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
What's the typical debt for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from ETI School of Skilled Trades?
At $9,500 in median debt, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from ETI School of Skilled Trades carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates?
Heating & Air Conditioning connects to 15 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →