Heating & Air Conditioning at Northwest HVAC/R Training Center

Spokane, WA · Private nonprofit · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

With 82% of applicants admitted, Northwest HVAC/R Training Center prioritizes broad access, with a smaller student body of 49 in Spokane, WA.

Program Analysis

Northwest HVAC/R Training Center's Heating & Air Conditioning graduates start at $39,949/yr — above the $36,779 national average, though not by a wide margin.

AI disruption models show minimal impact on this program's career paths. The gap between optimistic and pessimistic scenarios is just 0% — this trade's hands-on core resists automation.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $9,500 in median debt clears fast against $39,949 in annual earnings.

At #113 of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, Northwest HVAC/R Training Center scores above the median — competitive but not a standout.

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

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $39,949/yr (9% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$418K
1.0% 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
$9,500
2.9 months of Year 1 earnings

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 Northwest HVAC/R Training Center?
At 51/100, Northwest HVAC/R Training Center's Heating & Air Conditioning program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
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.
What's the typical debt for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Northwest HVAC/R Training Center?
At $9,500 in median debt, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Northwest HVAC/R Training Center carry minimal financial burden. The debt-to-income ratio of 0.2x is well below the trade program average.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
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 →