Heating & Air Conditioning at West Georgia Technical College

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

a smaller institution with 4,811 students in Waco, GA.

Program Analysis

First-year earnings of $35,572 track close to the $36,779 national median for Heating & Air Conditioning programs. This is a middle-of-the-road outcome on salary alone.

The 154.9x 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 23% scenario spread suggests disruption would dent but not destroy the earnings outlook for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.

A #25 ranking out of 260 Heating & Air Conditioning programs nationally puts West Georgia Technical College in the top 10% — a strong but not elite position.

The five-year earnings trajectory from $35,572 to $46,080 shows 30% growth, reflecting steady but unremarkable salary progression.

With 15 registered apprenticeships mapped to Heating & Air Conditioning, graduates have substantial options for hands-on training paths that pay from day one.

64 /100
TradeSchoolOutlook Score
61
Low End
64
Score
64
High End
Earnings $35,572/yr (-3% vs median)
AI-Proof AI-Proof (89% shielded)
Job Market Large (40,100 openings/yr)

Earnings Overview

Projected 10-Year Earnings
$484K
6.7% annual growth
Earnings Multiple (In-State)
155.1x
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)
$3,122
Out-of-state: $5,522
Reported Earnings (5 Year)
$46,080
30% 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

How does West Georgia Technical College's Heating & Air Conditioning program score?
This program scores 64/100, reflecting respectable but not exceptional financial outcomes for Heating & Air Conditioning graduates.
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.
Can I learn Heating & Air Conditioning through an apprenticeship instead?
There are 15 registered apprenticeships connected to Heating & Air Conditioning occupations. The earn-while-you-learn model means no tuition debt and immediate income, though the training period is typically longer.
Data from College Scorecard, BLS, and AI resilience research. Methodology & sources →