Heating & Air Conditioning at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria
a smaller institution with 163 students in Santa Maria, CA.
Program Analysis
First-year earnings of $40,368 at San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria come in 10% above the national median of $36,779 for Heating & Air Conditioning programs.
Career paths for Heating & Air Conditioning carry above-average AI exposure (11% of tasks). The 40% scenario spread means the difference between optimistic and pessimistic outcomes is substantial.
With first-year pay of $40,368 far exceeding the $13,000 median debt, the payback timeline is measured in months, not years.
A #120 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places San Joaquin Valley College-Santa Maria in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.
The $40,368-to-$67,788 earnings arc over five years reflects a 68% gain — well above average career growth for trade school graduates.
The 15 apprenticeship pathways connected to Heating & Air Conditioning reflect strong industry infrastructure for this trade. Apprenticeships typically lead to journeyman-level wages.
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.