Heating & Air Conditioning at Gwinnett Technical College

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

with a mid-sized student body of 7,395 in Lawrenceville, GA.

Program Analysis

At $40,342 per year, Heating & Air Conditioning graduates from Gwinnett Technical College earn slightly above the $36,779 national median. The premium is real but not dramatic.

Every dollar of tuition returns an estimated 78.2x in decade earnings — an exceptional ratio that places this among the highest-ROI Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally.

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 20% gap from the optimistic case.

At #36 of 260 nationally, this is a top-5% Heating & Air Conditioning program. Financial outcomes consistently outperform the vast majority of peers.

Earnings grow from $40,342 to $50,446 over five years — a 25% 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.

62 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
59
Low End
62
Score
61
High End
Earnings $40,342/yr (10% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$525K
5.8% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
78.3x
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)
$6,712
Out-of-state: $11,512
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$50,446
25% 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

What does a 62/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heating & Air Conditioning at Gwinnett Technical College?
This program scores 62/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
Will AI replace Heating & Air Conditioning jobs?
Heating & Air Conditioning 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.
Is Gwinnett Technical College one of the best schools for Heating & Air Conditioning?
The #36 ranking out of 260 programs is driven by strong financial outcomes — graduates earn well, debt is manageable, and the job market supports this trade.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates?
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 →