The Bureau of Labor Statistics reports there over 25,000 jobs in the Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry. It also reports there are more than 5,500 jobs in the Los Angeles and Southern California region, with the average earning power of around $30 an hour.
More specifically, HVAC workers in the Anaheim-Santa Ana- Irvine area made an average of $55,000 a year. Those in the Bakersfield area average $50,000 a year, while those in El Centro, Fresno and Hanford-Corcoran areas average in the mid-forties.
Other Southern California areas ranging from low-forties to $55,000 annual incomes include Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, San Diego-Carlsbad, San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles-Arroyo Grande, Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, and Visalia-Porterville.
Los Angeles HVAC workers earned higher incomes, around $60,000 each year.
HVAC professionals learn many skills both during their studies and by working in the field. This makes them much more valuable and versatile. This also means there will rarely be a lack of work in the Southern California area.
Almost every household has at least one piece of equipment you will be able to install, maintain or repair. The numbers of just how many people have heating and cooling systems in their homes is astounding.
HVAC Facts and Stats
According to statistical reports, nearly 90 percent of Americans own an air conditioner of some kind, spending close to $30 billion dollars. And of these air conditioner owners, half of them are reported to contact a professional for annual routine maintenance, leading to longer life spans of their air conditioning units.
The Household Energy Use Survey for California reports that the households that use systems in their homes, mostly use central heat and air conditioning equipment.
Since the population in the Southern California region is nearly 24 million, then number of opportunities you may have to work on an HVAC system is extremely high.
Becoming energy efficient is a goal of Southern California and many residences and commercial buildings are updating systems to match this goal. Climate-controlled systems are becoming very popular and because they require updating every 10 to 15 years, you are looking at great opportunities to install, maintain, or repair many of these systems.
With the proper HVAC training, you could be one of these professionals they call on for help. They will call you because you will have completed courses leading to certification, showing you are a specialist in treating problems such as refrigerants, air balancing, cooling and various types of systems for air conditioning.
More Skills, More Job Opportunities
The more duties you can complete, the more job opportunities you will get. For instance, a football coach is usually just hired to coach football, and maybe a class or two. A court reporter is typically only hired to work in courtrooms.
But as an HVAC professional, you are trained to do many different duties, making you more marketable. It means because you have a broad skill set, you have more opportunities for work than other professionals.
Skills you will learn in school can include installing, maintaining and repairing HVAC systems. You may also learn how to test parts, read blueprints, how to comply with regulations, and how to teach customers to properly use their equipment and systems.
You will also be trained in soldering and brazing pipes, detecting leaks and fixing them, and basic electricity. In addition, you will learn how to install, maintain and repair venting systems, with and without ducts. Most importantly, you will learn how to troubleshoot, and this is the key to many jobs and a skill all employers want to see when hiring.
You will be able to use these skills and many more not only in residential homes, but in the commercial industries as well. All offices, whether old or newly constructed, require installation, maintenance and repair of the many heating, cooling and ventilation systems inside their buildings.
Commercial HVAC Opportunities
According to notes taken from a Real Estate conference on the commercial trends happening in Southern California, the outlook is good. Real estate in the SoCal region is growing, from small start-ups to large corporations. All of them wanting to provide comfortable working environments which may include HVAC systems.
Just a few of the fastest growing Southern California commercial businesses include movie studios, television stations, and advertising agents. But it is not all entertainment related. Other growing industries include healthcare businesses like nursing homes, hospitals, and urgent cares. Southern California is also host to military bases, as well as many facets of the aircraft industry.
Residential Opportunities
The types of residential homes in Southern California can range from mobile homes up to multi-million-dollar mansions.
Real-estate trends show real estate is a high demand, with both investors and home owners fighting for all types of housing. The types of housing being sought after the most are condominiums, apartments, and single-family homes.
Those who can’t purchase a home already built are choosing to construct new property. The Los Angeles times reported housing construction is on the rise, in Southern California more than other areas.
For an HVAC graduate, this means you can connect with home builders, real estate agents, and contractors to acquire the jobs of installing, maintaining and repairing the HVAC systems in many of these residences.
Train in the Region You Will Be Working
If you are going to live and work in Southern California, it is a good idea to attend an HVAC training program in Southern California. When you do this, you will understand the local environment, needs of local residences and commercial businesses.
Your professors will likely be familiar with HVAC situations you will face once you graduate and enter the job market. They will be able to explain the climate’s effect on HVAC conditions in Southern California, and the statistics they offer will be relative to your location.
You need to learn the newest systems with the latest technology in the region in which you plan to work. Southern California efficiency requirements may be different than what is needed in New York City. Therefore; training for your area is key. Employers are looking for those HVAC graduates who already can utilize new technology and systems.
Look for a local college that provides you with the most knowledge, in a time frame that can get you into the workforce in less than a year. You will find a college eager to help you reach your HVAC educational goals.
SBBCollege does not guarantee salary or employment. For important information about the educational debt, earnings, and completion rates of students who attended this program, visit sbbcollege.edu/
