Heating & Air Conditioning at Jefferson Community and Technical College

Louisville, KY · Public · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

with a mid-sized student body of 7,105 in Louisville, KY.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $37,460 track close to the $36,779 national median for Heating & Air Conditioning programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

With a 83.3x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

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.

Jefferson Community and Technical College ranks #39 among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, placing it in the top 5% nationally by our financial outcomes measure.

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

61 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
60
Low End
61
Score
61
High End
Earnings $37,460/yr (2% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$392K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
83.3x
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 (In-State)
$4,706
Out-of-state: $6,242

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 Jefferson Community and Technical College's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
A score of 61/100 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?
Heating & Air Conditioning 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.
Is Jefferson Community and Technical College one of the best schools for Heating & Air Conditioning?
The #39 ranking out of 260 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates?
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 →