Heating & Air Conditioning at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville

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

a compact campus enrolling 730 students in Knoxville, TN.

Program Analysis

Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville's Heating & Air Conditioning graduates start at $39,230/yr — above the $36,779 national average, though not by a wide margin.

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.

A #106 ranking among 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs places Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville in the middle-to-upper range. Solid, not exceptional.

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

51 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
49
Low End
51
Score
51
High End
Earnings $39,230/yr (7% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Year 1 Earnings
$39K
Reported median after graduation
Viable Career Paths
1 of 1
Occupations with strong AI resilience
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$26,750
Small cohort — data may not reflect typical outcomes

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

Heating & Air Conditioning at Other Schools

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Frequently Asked Questions

What does a 51/100 TradeSchoolOutlook Score mean for Heating & Air Conditioning at Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville?
At 51/100, Tennessee College of Applied Technology-Knoxville's Heating & Air Conditioning program delivers middling returns. School cost and personal fit become important decision factors.
How safe is Heating & Air Conditioning from automation?
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.
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 →