Heating & Air Conditioning at Georgia Piedmont Technical College

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

with a smaller student body of 2,069 in Clarkston, GA.

Program Analysis

Georgia Piedmont Technical College Heating & Air Conditioning graduates command $49,346/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,779 national median. That 34% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.

With a 161.9x return on tuition over ten years, the financial case for this program is compelling by virtually any measure.

The 0% spread between best and worst-case AI scenarios signals strong resilience. Most careers in Heating & Air Conditioning involve physical, hands-on work that current AI cannot replicate.

Among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally, Georgia Piedmont Technical College ranks #3 — elite territory by any measure of graduate financial outcomes.

The limited growth from $49,346 to $49,868 over five years suggests earnings in this trade plateau relatively early in one's career.

The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heating & Air Conditioning reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.

71 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
69
Low End
71
Score
71
High End
Earnings $49,346/yr (34% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$516K
1.0% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
161.9x
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)
$3,188
Out-of-state: $5,588
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$49,868
1% 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

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does Georgia Piedmont Technical College's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
A score of 71/100 indicates strong financial outcomes. Georgia Piedmont Technical College's Heating & Air Conditioning graduates fare well on earnings, job market size, and return on investment.
How AI-proof is a career in Heating & Air Conditioning?
Highly resilient. Heating & Air Conditioning careers are fundamentally hands-on — they require physical presence and manual skill that AI cannot replicate. Graduates retain 1 of 1 viable career paths even under conservative assumptions.
Is Georgia Piedmont Technical College one of the best schools for Heating & Air Conditioning?
Among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs, Georgia Piedmont Technical College's #3 position reflects consistently above-average results across earnings, ROI, and employment probability.
Are there apprenticeship options for Heating & Air Conditioning?
Heating & Air Conditioning connects to 15 apprenticeship pathways. These DOL-registered programs combine structured training with paid employment — a strong alternative for students who prefer hands-on learning over classroom instruction.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →