HVAC Technology at Hennepin Technical College

Brooklyn Park, MN · Public · Associate Degree · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

a compact campus enrolling 2,827 students in Brooklyn Park, MN.

Program Analysis

Hennepin Technical College HVAC Technology graduates command $65,592/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,779 national median. That 78% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

The 68.7x 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 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for HVAC Technology graduates.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,751 in median debt clears fast against $65,592 in annual earnings.

A #17 ranking out of 260 HVAC Technology programs nationally puts Hennepin Technical College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

Earnings growth is modest: $65,592 to $78,403 over five years (20% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to HVAC Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

67 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
65
Low End
67
Score
67
High End
Earnings $65,592/yr (78% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$808K
4.6% annual growth
Earnings Multiple
68.7x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition
$11,762
Median Debt at Graduation
$14,751
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$78,403
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for HVAC Technology 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

HVAC Technology Career Guide

See the full career breakdown for HVAC Technology — job titles, salary ranges, and growth projections for graduates from Hennepin Technical College and 259 other schools.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Hennepin Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 67/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for HVAC Technology at Hennepin Technical College?
A score of 67/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the HVAC Technology field.
How AI-proof is a career in HVAC Technology?
HVAC Technology rates as "AI-Proof" for AI resilience. With only 11% of tasks exposed to automation, the trade's physical demands provide a natural shield against AI displacement.
What's the typical debt for HVAC Technology graduates from Hennepin Technical College?
Median debt of just $14,751 against $65,592/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for HVAC Technology graduates?
Beyond Hennepin Technical College's classroom route, 15 registered apprenticeships map to HVAC Technology careers — including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →