Heating & Air Conditioning at Florida Career College-Tampa

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

with a smaller student body of 159 in Tampa, FL.

Program Analysis

At $28,989 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Florida Career College-Tampa earn below the $36,779 national average. Lower costs or geographic factors may offset the earnings gap.

Some AI exposure exists in Heating & Air Conditioning's career paths, with 11% of job tasks potentially affected. The pessimistic scenario still projects solid returns, with a 21% gap from the optimistic case.

The median debt load of $9,500 represents less than half a year of starting salary — among the lightest debt-to-income ratios in vocational education.

Ranked #221 of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, Florida Career College-Tampa falls below the median. Stronger options exist, though cost and location may compensate.

Earnings grow from $28,989 to $36,682 over five years — a 27% increase that's moderate and in line with typical trade career progression.

Heating & Air Conditioning offers 15 registered apprenticeship pathways — an unusually broad set of earn-while-you-learn alternatives to the classroom track.

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

Other Majors at Florida Career College-Tampa

Frequently Asked Questions

How does Florida Career College-Tampa's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
At 44/100, the financial outlook is modest. Higher-scoring Heating & Air Conditioning programs exist, though non-financial factors may justify this choice.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
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.
Can you still earn well with Heating & Air Conditioning from Florida Career College-Tampa?
Lower starting pay at Florida Career College-Tampa may reflect local labor market conditions rather than program quality. Many graduates see convergence with national averages within 3-5 years.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Heating & Air Conditioning occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →