The short answer is yes, very much so. HVAC is one of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S. today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), new jobs in this industry will grow by 19,000 from now until 2030. A significant factor in work opportunities is the ban on R-22 Freon® refrigerants which impacts old equipment that must be replaced. Another reason is the red-hot real estate market for new construction in many cities.
HVAC technicians have a promising future in this career. If you don’t want to work in an office or factory and enjoy being outdoors, this may be the right choice for you. The days are never boring and you get to meet a lot of nice people along the way.
Factors That Contribute to the Growing Demand
There is more than one factor that contributes to the growing demand for HVAC technicians. The following provides a broad overview of why the industry needs more qualified workers:
- 80% of construction companies can find enough qualified HVAC workers to work on their existing projects.
- Federal and state governments provide financial incentive programs to home and business owners to upgrade to energy-efficient systems.
- Scientific breakthroughs continue to drive innovation in this industry that makes HVAC systems more complex. This tends to eliminate home and business owners from doing their own equipment maintenance and replacement.
- Many cities and states will only allow certified technicians to perform HVAC work and this eliminates amateurs.
- Tens of thousands of old, inefficient systems need replacing to reduce energy costs.
States with the Highest Current Demand
HVAC technicians are in demand in every state with Florida and California leading the way. The five states experiencing current high construction growth and employing the most technicians are:
State Reasons for Demand
Florida New Schools, healthcare buildings, and Hurricanes
California Energy and utility updates, wildfires, transportation
Texas Hurricanes, utility and infrastructure updates, energy costs
New York Residential and infrastructure upgrades, high energy costs
Illinois Companies moving to the Chicago area, high energy costs
Other areas worth mentioning include southern states and the southwest because they have warmer climates.
| “The short answer is yes, very much so. HVAC is one of the fastest-growing careers in the U.S. Today. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), new jobs in this industry will grow by 19,000 from now until 2028.” |
States with the Highest Future Demand Projections by 2030
Americans are very mobile, and many states are showing population increases. Moving from current to future demand areas, these states are ranked with high HVAC job growth:
- Florida 10. Tennessee
- Texas 11. Washington
- California 12. Georgia
- North Carolina 13. New Jersey
- New York 14. Utah
- Colorado 15. South Carolina
- Ohio 16. Indiana
- Pennsylvania 17. Maryland
- Virginia 18. Missouri and Arizona
The reasons for expanding populations in these states include lower tax rates in some areas, a wide range of job opportunities, lower cost of living in some states, and smaller crime rates.
Types of Available HVAC Jobs
Installation and removal technicians are not the only types of job positions available, but they are the most common ones. All these jobs are enjoying growth nationwide:
- HVAC Installers remove, install, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, and air conditioning equipment and systems.
- HVAC Managers supervise technicians, manage projects, and meet customer needs.
- HVAC Salespeople work in retail stores to sell equipment and systems to retail and wholesale customers.
- HVAC Engineers design systems, collaborate with technicians, and perform some complex repairs. They work for HVAC firms, government agencies, or manufacturers.
HVAC program graduates typically start their careers in entry-level positions as installers and move to other positions with experience and time in the field.
How to Prepare For An Entry-Level Job And HVAC Career
Prepare yourself for a job and career with a comprehensive college education. ITI Technical College will train you with an Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) Degree in our Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Electrical Technology Program. We provide professional training and career students geared to your needs.
For more information about graduation rates, the median debt of students who completed the program, and other important information, please visit our website: https://www.iticollege.edu/disclosures
