Heating & Air Conditioning at Florida Career College-Miami

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

with a smaller student body of 130 in Miami, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,989 place Florida Career College-Miami below the $36,779 national median for Heating & Air Conditioning — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

Some AI exposure exists in Heating & Air Conditioning's career paths, with 11% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

With first-year pay of $28,989 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

Ranked #211 of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, Florida Career College-Miami falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,989 to $36,682 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Heating & Air Conditioning offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $28,989/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$383K
6.1% 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
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,682
27% 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

Heating & Air Conditioning at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for Heating & Air Conditioning at Florida Career College-Miami?
A score of 44/100 indicates below-average financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning. Earnings, ROI, or job market factors are pulling the score down.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
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.
Is Florida Career College-Miami a good choice for Heating & Air Conditioning despite lower starting pay?
Lower starting pay at Florida Career College-Miami may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
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 →