by our College Data Analytics TeamStudying Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician explores Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation And Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician. A Program That Prepares Individuals To Apply Technical Knowledge And Skills To Repair, Install, Service And Maintain The Operating Condition Of Heating, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration Systems. Includes Instruction In Diagnostic Techniques, The Use Of Testing Equipment And The Principles Of Mechanics, Electricity, And Electronics As They Relate To The Repair Of Heating, Air Conditioning And Refrigeration Systems. Examples: [Heating And Air Conditioning Maintenance Technology/technician (Hac)], [Heating, Air Conditioning, And Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician (Hacr)], [Heating, Ventilation, And Air Conditioning Maintenance Technology/technician (Hvac)], [Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation, And Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/technician (Hvacr)], [Oil Burner Mechanic], [Refrigeration Mechanic], [Refrigeration And Air Conditioning Mechanic], [Refrigeration And Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic]. Continue reading for the essential details every heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician major should know — including career paths, salary data, the skills you will develop, and the best colleges offering heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician programs.
In the U.S., heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician draws strong interest, with 23,253 degrees awarded annually.
Our 2026 Best Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician Schools ranking analyzes these 597 schools to determine the best overall colleges for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician students. Continue reading to check out one of our many unbiased rankings of heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician programs later in this article.
Coursework for Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation & Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician build a specific mix of skills, knowledge, and abilities — derived from O*NET surveys of workers in the occupations heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates commonly enter.
Skills emphasized by a heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician program reflects the day-to-day work of related occupations:
Per O*NET surveys, a heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician major emphasizes the following knowledge areas:
There are several heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician degree levels. The table below shows the typical length of the most common levels, and how many graduates earn each one.
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Certificate | Varies | 11,842 |
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 2,256 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 8,836 |
People currently working in careers related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician tend to have obtained the following education levels.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Postsecondary certificate | 68.1% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 20.2% |
| Some college courses | 6.9% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 3.3% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 1.5% |
See the chart below to get an idea of what level of education most of those in heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician careers hold.
Source: ONET Online education / training / experience requirements.*
Studying heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician opens doors to numerous career paths. Below are some of the most common occupations related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician.
The following options are some of the most in-demand careers related to heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | 211,463 | 11.3% |
College Scorecard reports median earnings of heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates 1, 4, and 5 years after completion. These numbers tend to grow as graduates gain experience.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $33,403 |
| 4 years | $40,200 |
| 5 years | $44,951 |
Source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, field-of-study earnings tracker.
Salaries for heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician graduates vary widely by occupation. The following table shows the top highest-paying careers heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician grads often go into.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers | $66,308 |
With 597 different heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician programs to choose from, finding the best fit can be a challenge. We have analyzed these schools to produce unbiased heating, air conditioning, ventilation & refrigeration maintenance technology/technician school rankings to help you.
More about our data sources and methodologies.
