Heating & Air Conditioning at Florida Career College-Orlando

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

a smaller institution with 153 students in Orlando, FL.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $28,989 place Florida Career College-Orlando below the $36,779 national median for Heating & Air Conditioning — worth weighing against tuition and cost of living.

AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 21% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.

With first-year pay of $28,989 far exceeding the $9,500 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.

At #225 out of 260 programs, Florida Career College-Orlando's financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $28,989 to $36,682 shows 27% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

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

44 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
42
Low End
44
Score
44
High End
Earnings $28,989/yr (-21% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$383K
6.1% 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
$9,500
3.9 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$36,682
27% growth from Year 1

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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida Career College-Orlando's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
This program scores 44/100 — on the lower end for Heating & Air Conditioning. Prospective students should carefully weigh costs against likely earnings.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
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.
Is Florida Career College-Orlando a good choice for Heating & Air Conditioning despite lower starting pay?
Starting salary is one data point. If Florida Career College-Orlando's tuition is significantly below average, the ROI calculation can still work — lower earnings paired with lower costs can be a reasonable trade.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to certificate programs.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →