Is a career in air conditioning repair a good choice?

Working as a heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration professional, or HVACR technician, might be the right fit for someone who has mechanical ability and is good with people, as this career is a service-driven. Other factors to consider are the level and cost of education required, the potential for employment, and the average salary.

HVACR technicians are required, at minimum, to have an EPA certification for appropriate use of refrigerants and, more often than not, the completion of either a certificate program or an associate's degree. Associate's degrees take around 2 years, and cost anywhere between $15,000-$35,000, depending on the school, while a certificate program can be obtained in 6 months to a year and cost as little as $1,500 or as much as $15,000. A third option is an apprenticeship, in which an employer provides on-the-job training for 3 to 5 years.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics, HVACR technicians can look forward to 13% job growth between 2018 and 2028, which is more than double the average for other fields. The BLS also lists the median salary for this occupation as $48,730, although experienced HVACR technicians at the highest levels can earn as much as $77,920.

For more information on a career in heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration, check out this article