Alternatives to College: High Paying and Rewarding Careers in HVACR

Perhaps it is your job to help guide people toward a career path, including alternatives to college. Or maybe someone you care about is struggling to decide what kind of job to pursue or worried about the costs of higher education.

Either way, you’ll be happy to hear there are great alternatives to college in the many career options available in the field of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR).

Why is HVACR such a promising career path?

According to the latest figures from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of HVACR mechanics and installers is projected to grow 13% from 2018 to 2028. That’s much faster than the average growth for all occupations combined.

The bureau predicts that more than 46,000 new HVACR technician jobs will be added over a 10-year period. This is due in part to growth in commercial and residential building construction. In addition, HVACR job demand is being driven by:

• New technologies that integrate HVACR with building automation and smart home systems — requiring skilled technicians to adapt existing equipment and install, maintain, and repair newer and more complex HVACR systems
• The EPA-mandated phase out of the R22 refrigerant (freon) formerly used in many air conditioning and refrigeration systems — requiring many older systems to be replaced or retrofitted to use newer refrigerants
• Ongoing demand for greater energy efficiency — requiring more technicians to upgrade older systems, deliver maintenance services, and install new equipment to optimize system efficiency and energy savings

At the same time that HVACR jobs are growing, the industry workforce is shrinking due to factors including:

• Many HVACR workers nearing retirement age
• A severe decline in high school technical programs that promote the trades as alternatives to college
• Schools and parents pushing students toward college rather than other career paths

According to BLS estimates, there is currently a shortage of about 70,000 jobs in HVACR, and the figure will grow to 115,000 over the next few years. That means many HVACR businesses are actively seeking to hire entry-level workers and build their team of skilled workers to handle the growing workforce demands.

How does HVACR offer alternatives to college?

Getting started in HVACR does not require the time and cost of college or technical school. In fact, in the New York City area and many other places, most HVACR companies will hire people for entry-level positions with little or no experience. These jobs are great alternatives to college for the right person.

Instead, new technicians — known as apprentices or helpers — usually train on the job by working for several years alongside more experienced service technicians. In addition, new technicians often get more formal training through their employer’s own internal training programs or classes provided by their local union (or both).

That means new entry-level service technicians set off on a career path right away — plus they get paid while they learn on the job.

In addition, as HVACR technicians gain more experience and skills, there are opportunities for career growth and higher pay. And most jobs in the HVACR industry don’t require a college degree.

That means working as a service technician can open the door to a wide range of other good paying jobs in the industry, including:

• Parts purchasing
• Service dispatcher/coordinator
• Job estimator
• Field supervisor
• Project management
• Operations manager
• Specialization in areas such as AC, refrigeration, ventilation, or green energy
• Customer service or inside sales
• Truck and shop maintenance

So, for someone who is technically minded, eager to learn, and looking to start a career as an alternative to college, pursuing a job as an HVACR service technician can be a very smart decision. To learn more, watch this video about careers in HVACR.

What are some benefits of a career in HVACR?

Although HVACR service work is physically demanding and the hours can be long during the peak season, the rewards for a motivated and dedicated service technician far outweigh the negatives.

• Job security: Most HVACR service technicians are employed full time. While some seasons can be busier than others — for example, in New York, the need for air conditioning and heat makes summer and winter very busy — service techs are in demand year-round. And as noted above, technicians will continue to be in demand in a growing industry.
• No student debt: Thanks to on-the-job training, HVACR apprentices and helpers don’t need to take on student loans to start a job in HVACR. What’s more, these entry-level technicians earn wages while they learn — getting a jumpstart on a career.
• Great wages and benefits: Here in NYC, a second-year, full-time union service technician can earn more than $40,000 (and that’s not counting overtime). Within just 5 years, an HVACR technician can earn $100,000 or more a year. Once technicians join the union (a union contractor must enroll new service techs within 45 days of hiring), they also get benefits such as health insurance and a pension.
• Interesting and varied work: Service technicians will tell you that no two days are alike. Technicians troubleshoot complex technology and often work with different customers in a variety of locations. Or a technician might do specialized work, becoming an expert in specific systems or tasks. Either way, service techs are always learning something new.
• Opportunities for growth: The HVACR industry offers opportunities to grow in expertise and income, branch out into management, or even start a business. Read more in our blog HVAC Career Path: What Are the Possibilities for Service Technicians?

What does it take to get hired for careers in HVACR?

Someone can get hired as an apprentice or a helper with a high school diploma or GED. And while employers are always looking for skilled technicians, industry experience is not required for most entry-level HVACR positions.

So, what skills, traits, or experience will give someone an advantage when they apply or interview for an entry-level HVACR job? Here’s a list of some things employers often look for in an HVACR apprentice or helper:

• Good communication skills
• A friendly, helpful attitude
• The ability to stay calm under pressure
• An aptitude to learn and work with complex technology and software
• A driver’s license and clean driving record (may or may not be required to start)
• Familiarity with using basic hand tools
• Reliability and a strong work ethic
• A love of learning and an interest in solving problems
• A desire to help others

Read more about these job qualifications in our blog Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Jobs: What’s Required to Get Hired.

How does someone get started in an HVACR career?

There has never been a better time to enter the HVACR field. For men and women with the right skills and aptitude, it offers opportunities for a stable and high-paying career in an industry that shows no signs of slowing down.

Is a career in HVACR a smart alternative to college for someone you know? Share this website to help them explore the possibilities for a rewarding and high-paying career in this promising industry.

HVACR Career Connect NY offers a variety of tools to help people get started as an HVACR service technician:

• A quick and easy skills self-assessment quiz
• Training videos about the HVACR industry and service technician work
• Tips, examples, and a template for creating a resume
• Get industry info & job hunting tips in your email inbox: join our mailing list.

HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.