Heating & Air Conditioning at Lamson Institute

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

a compact campus enrolling 443 students in San Antonio, TX.

Program Analysis

At $41,695 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Lamson Institute earn slightly above the $36,779 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning carry above-average AI exposure (11% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.

The median debt load of $9,238 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

A #91 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places Lamson Institute in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

The $41,695-to-$68,881 earnings arc over five years reflects a 65% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.

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

52 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
50
Low End
52
Score
52
High End
Earnings $41,695/yr (13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$732K
12.0% 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
$9,238
2.7 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$68,881
65% 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 Lamson Institute?
This program scores 52/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
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.
How affordable is Heating & Air Conditioning at Lamson Institute?
At $9,238 in median debt, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Lamson Institute carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
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 →