When demand is high and supply is low, it typically reflects appreciably on the price that can be commanded, whether talking about commodities or wages. For several years now, the shortage of skilled workers in trades in the U.S. has been a hot topic. At the same time, stories abound of college graduates holding minimum wage jobs and fending off their education debt while looking for a career foothold in their field of study.
Right now, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that in the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration (HVACR) field alone, there is currently a technician shortage of 70,000 workers. It is estimated that in the next few years alone 115,000 new workers will be needed to shore up this deficit and meet the growing demand.
To complicate things further, existing HVACR technicians are expected to retire at a rate of 12,000 per year by 2022. Combined, that means that in just the next three years, the HVACR trade will be seeing more than a third of needed positions go unfilled. This will result in an even more highly competitive marketplace for skilled technicians.
HVAC Industry Jobs Provide Fast Return on Investment
According to the Department of Labor Statistics, HVAC technicians make more than several other popular careers requiring more schooling. With the typical HVACR program taking two years to complete, graduates with a certificate can get in the field quickly, start earning, and more easily get out from under their lesser college debt. If working at a desk is not for you and you like troubleshooting, working with your hands and direct customer contact, becoming an HVAC technician may be a good fit for you. And, it’s not just for men–each year, the number of women entering and graduating these programs has been increasing.
