Top 5 Reasons to Become an HVAC Technician
If you are entertaining the thought of a career in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) field, you may be onto something great. The HVAC industry as a whole is growing due to an increased demand for skilled technicians, and that fact is putting the job on the radar for a lot of people entering the workforce. As the world becomes more focused on comfort, HVAC technicians are kept very busy with trying to maintain the most comfortable environment within homes, office buildings, warehouses and other structures with climate controls.
As you contemplate taking the next step toward becoming an HVAC technician, consider the top five reasons that many people are drawn to this particular career path:
The HVAC Field Is Growing
One of the best factors to look at when choosing a career path is the potential for growth of the chosen field. The outlook for HVAC is certainly looking up. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the employment rate of heating, air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics and installers is projected to grow 21 percent from 2012 to 2022, which is faster than the average for all other occupations. That amounts to the addition of 55,900 jobs to the work force!
Rewarding Careers Without A Bachelors Degree
Maybe you are looking for a career change and hoping to avoid spending your time and money on a four-year degree. Or maybe you simply want a job that you know you will enjoy. One of the upsides of a career in HVAC is that you can do it without an expensive degree. Many technicians do choose to have some sort of formal training though, which generally comes in the form of a post-secondary degree from a technical or trade school. This option is much more affordable and can typically take somewhere between one to two years.
Decent Wages
The median pay an HVAC technician earned in 2012 was $43,640 a year, according to data from the BLS. The lowest 10 percent of workers made $27,330 and the top 10 percent made more than $68,990, according to the BLS.
Room For Advancement
Depending on where you work, once you have put in a few years at an entry-level spot, there can be plenty of opportunities to advance into a managerial role or even sales and marketing positions. Some HVAC technicians even move up to become distribution managers.
Demand Continues To Increase
Climate-controlled systems generally need replacement after 10 to 15 years, according to the BLS, so there will always be a need to replace old systems and maintain or retrofit current systems to meet environmental standards.
Think this is the right career for you? If you are ready to start your education, learn more about the amazing HVAC program at Lincoln Tech that can set you up for success. There are nine Lincoln campuses offering this program at locations across the country, so you can either stay close to home or head out for a new adventure. After you have completed the HVAC and graduated from Lincoln, you will be well on your way to a new, exciting career, especially if you earn additional certifications and work with Lincoln's Career Services department.