HVAC Technology at InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield

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

a compact campus enrolling 139 students in Fairfield, CA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $38,137 track close to the $36,779 national median for HVAC Technology programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

AI risk is moderate — 11% task exposure — and the 15% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for HVAC Technology graduates.

At $9,500 in median debt against $38,137 in first-year earnings, graduates can expect to clear their loan balance quickly — a hallmark of affordable trade programs.

At #138 out of 260 programs, InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield's financial outcomes for HVAC Technology trail the majority of peers. The value case depends on other factors.

Earnings growth is modest: $38,137 to $45,750 over five years (20% gain). This trade may have a lower salary ceiling than high-growth professions.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to HVAC Technology, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

50 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
48
Low End
50
Score
50
High End
Earnings $38,137/yr (4% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$472K
4.7% 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
3.0 months of Year 1 earnings
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$45,750
20% growth from Year 1

Top Career Paths

Top career paths for HVAC Technology 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

HVAC Technology Career Guide

HVAC Technology opens doors to multiple career tracks. Our pillar guide covers every mapped occupation with salary data and AI resilience ratings.

Read the full HVAC Technology career guide →

Compare & Explore

HVAC Technology Overview

HVAC Technology at Other Schools

Other Majors at InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield

Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 50/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for HVAC Technology at InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield?
This program scores 50/100 — a respectable number in isolation, but it ranks in the bottom half of HVAC Technology programs nationally. The field is competitive, and stronger options exist.
How AI-proof is a career in HVAC Technology?
HVAC Technology 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.
What's the typical debt for HVAC Technology graduates from InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield?
Median debt of just $9,500 against $38,137/yr in starting salary means graduates can clear their loans in under 3 months. This is one of the more affordable paths in our dataset.
What apprenticeship pathways exist for HVAC Technology graduates?
Yes — 15 registered apprenticeship programs are mapped to HVAC Technology career paths, including Air & Hydronic Balancing Technician. Apprenticeships offer paid on-the-job training as an alternative or complement to a program at InterCoast Colleges-Fairfield.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →