HVAC Technology at Chippewa Valley Technical College

Eau Claire, WI · Public · Certificate · Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR)

with a smaller student body of 4,127 in Eau Claire, WI.

Program Analysis

Chippewa Valley Technical College's HVAC Technology graduates start at $42,963/yr — above the $36,779 national average, though not by a wide margin.

The 95.2x earnings multiple means ten-year projected earnings exceed tuition cost by an order of magnitude. Trade programs often deliver strong ratios, and this one is a standout.

With only 11% of typical job tasks exposed to AI, the scenario spread is tight at 0%. Career paths for HVAC Technology are among the more automation-resistant trades we analyze.

Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $5,500 in median debt clears fast against $42,963 in annual earnings.

A #24 ranking out of 260 HVAC Technology programs nationally puts Chippewa Valley Technical College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to HVAC Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

65 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
64
Low End
65
Score
65
High End
Earnings $42,963/yr (17% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$449K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
95.2x
10-year earnings ÷ tuition
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.

Program Tuition (In-State)
$4,724
Out-of-state: $6,917
Median Debt at Graduation
$5,500
1.5 months of Year 1 earnings

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for HVAC Technology 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

HVAC Technology Career Guide

What can you do with a HVAC Technology credential from Chippewa Valley Technical College? Our career guide maps every occupation path with earnings and growth data.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at Chippewa Valley Technical College

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the TradeSchoolOutlook Score for HVAC Technology at Chippewa Valley Technical College?
A score of 65/100 puts this program in competitive territory — solid outcomes, though not at the top of the HVAC Technology field.
Is HVAC Technology from Chippewa Valley Technical College a future-proof career choice?
HVAC Technology 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 HVAC Technology graduates from Chippewa Valley Technical College?
Median debt of just $5,500 against $42,963/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 2 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
Can I learn HVAC Technology through an apprenticeship instead of Chippewa Valley Technical College?
Beyond Chippewa Valley Technical College's classroom route, 15 registered apprenticeships map to HVAC Technology careers — including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships trade shorter program length for longer on-the-job training, typically 2-4 years.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →