Heating & Air Conditioning at Hennepin Technical College
a compact campus enrolling 2,827 students in Brooklyn Park, MN.
Program Analysis
Hennepin Technical College Heating & Air Conditioning graduates command $65,592/yr out of the gate, well above the $36,779 national median. That 78% premium suggests the program's industry reputation carries real labor-market weight.
The 68.7x 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.
AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
Loan repayment is a non-issue here — $14,751 in median debt clears fast against $65,592 in annual earnings.
A #17 ranking out of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally puts Hennepin Technical College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.
Earnings growth is modest: $65,592 to $78,403 over five years (20% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.
With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.
Earnings Overview
Projected 10-Year Earnings
Based on actual graduate salary data and Bureau of Labor Statistics growth projections.
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% |
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.