Heating & Air Conditioning at Southern Technical College

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

a compact campus enrolling 1,686 students in Orlando, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $31,990 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 only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

At $11,250 in median debt against $31,990 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #198 out of 260 programs, Southern Technical College's financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

46 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
45
Low End
46
Score
46
High End
Earnings $31,990/yr (-13% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$335K
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
$11,250
4.2 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

Heating & Air Conditioning at Other Schools

Other Majors at Southern Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 46/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heating & Air Conditioning at Southern Technical College?
At 46/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Heating & Air Conditioning programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
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.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Heating & Air Conditioning occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →