Heating & Air Conditioning at Horry-Georgetown Technical College
with a mid-sized student body of 5,962 in Conway, SC.
Program Analysis
Graduates earn $40,480/yr, edging above the $36,779 national average for Heating & Air Conditioning — a modest premium that suggests solid regional demand for this trade.
With a 129.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.
The 27% difference between AI scenarios reflects partial automation exposure. Some Heating & Air Conditioning career paths face changes, but the trade's physical demands provide a buffer.
At $8,875 in median debt against $40,480 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.
At #21 of 260 programs, this Heating & Air Conditioning program outperforms the majority of its peers. The top 10% ranking reflects consistently above-average outcomes.
A 35% earnings increase from $40,480 to $54,681 over five years is solid — not a moonshot, but evidence of normal career advancement.
The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heating & Air Conditioning reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
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.