Subscribe
Apply now
HVAC Technician Salary
Picture of Climb Team

Climb Team

All posts

What Can You Do With an HVAC Certificate?

By Rae Keinan

Today, many companies and authorities are requiring technicians to have an HVAC certificate. With advancing technology and awareness for energy efficiency, the need for professionally trained technicians—that can install and maintain complex HVAC systems—is growing. Studies show that employment for HVAC installers and mechanics is going to grow by 15% in the next decade! Check out this list to see what jobs you can get with an HVAC certificate:

HVAC technician ($30K-$69K)​

Did you know that poorly installed air conditioners in New York City cost building owners somewhere between $130-$180 million each year? That is exactly why we need HVAC technicians! Being an HVAC technician, you will have the flexibility to be self-employed or to work for a larger company that manages real estate properties.

AC technician ($26K-$63K)​

With an HVAC certificate, you don’t necessarily have to be a general HVAC contractor. You can specialize in one of the many HVAC fields—like air conditioning! One part of the job is using diagnostic equipment to test AC units for leakage, damage, and functionality.

Solar energy technician ($29K-$56K)

If you like being outdoors, you might consider being a solar technician. Solar technicians install and repair solar equipment on top of residential and commercial buildings. Some employers might ask for a NABCEP certification. The job is physically demanding, but it’s rewarding and anything but boring!

What Can You Do With an HVAC Certificate

Wind turbine technician ($40K-$74K)

Another active job you can get with an HVAC certificate is being a wind turbine technician, AKA a windtech. Windtechs are able to recognize and repair any problem that could cause a wind turbine to shut down unexpectedly. Calling all thrill-seekers: if you get excited about the idea of hovering hundreds of feet in the air every workday, this is the job for you!

HVAC instructor ($33K-$94K)​

At any point, if you decide that you want to take a break from being a technician, you can always become an instructor! As an instructor, you will grow opportunities and help others join the HVAC job force.​

Essential info

Required steps for HVAC certification will vary by state and specialization.

  • Training can be as little as 6 months and can take place a community college or a trade school.
  • 1-2 years of installation and maintenance experience is usually required to obtain certification.
  • The cost for an HVAC course and certification is around $5K-$12K. (And there are HVAC student loan options available if you need it)

Salary ranges are national averages calculated using Payscale.com and ZipRecruiter.com. Salaries have been updated as of June 2021.


All outcomes information has been collected by Climb on a good-faith-efforts basis, however, this information relies on inputs beyond Climb’s ability to test or control. Accordingly, Climb makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of this information and this information should not be relied on in making a decision whether or not to attend a course at the above-referenced entity. Climb does not endorse or encourage students to attend any specific school.


Schools do not endorse loans originated by Climb InvestCo, LLC, and Climb InvestCo, LLC is not affiliated with any school.

Subscribe to get more info sent straight to your inbox!

What to Expect: Realistic Outcomes

Climb’s Comprehensive Access Solution can offer a strategic balance of increased enrollments and upfront cashflows compared to traditional lenders. While no financing solution guarantees 100% collection, our data-driven approach maximizes both upfront cash and long-term repayment rates.

Typical Partner Results:

  • 15-30% of students qualify for Climb Loans with upfront tuition delivered to the school shortly after course start
  • 45-60% of students qualify for 0% APR* payment plans
  • Enrollment increases of 20%+ reported by partner schools**

**Results vary by school and student demographics. This represents performance reported by individual school partners and should not be considered a guarantee of your specific outcomes.

The bottom line: CAS is designed to maximize your net tuition recovery while eliminating the administrative headaches of student financing.

Maximizing Your Results

Pro Tip: Schools that require student deposits and set up automatic payments during enrollment see significantly better repayment performance across all financing options. These simple steps can meaningfully improve your outcomes.

FAQs

We use a comprehensive, AI-driven assessment that goes beyond traditional FICO scores to better serve career training students:

  • Climb Credit Score: Over 150 data points specifically designed for vocational students
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio: Reliable predictor of payment performance
  • FICO Score: Used primarily for interest rate assignment

Key advantages of our approach:

  • Soft credit pull until loan funding (no credit impact during application)
  • The majority of students receive instant decisions
  • Students can apply with co-borrowers directly in the application
  • More accurate placement into appropriate financing products

We use a comprehensive, AI-driven assessment that goes beyond traditional FICO scores to better serve career training students:

  • Climb Credit Score: Over 150 data points specifically designed for vocational students
  • Debt-to-Income Ratio: Reliable predictor of payment performance
  • FICO Score: Used primarily for interest rate assignment

Key advantages of our approach:

  • Soft credit pull until loan funding (no credit impact during application)
  • The majority of students receive instant decisions
  • Students can apply with co-borrowers directly in the application
  • More accurate placement into appropriate financing products

Students are placed into funding brackets (Elite, Standard, Enhanced) based on our AI assessment. Higher-credit students generate higher upfront payments to your school, while students with limited credit are seamlessly directed to our 0% Payment Plan.

These brackets are established using data from over $1 billion in career training loan originations and may be adjusted periodically based on updated repayment trends.

Important note: Regardless of which bracket a student falls into, they are considered fully paid by your school once funded. The student’s repayment obligation exists exclusively between Climb and the student.

Elite Access not available for Computer Science programs. Upfront percentages vary by industry and loan terms.

Once Climb disburses upfront funding for a student loan, that student is considered fully paid by your school. You will not receive any additional payments for that student—the single upfront payment is complete and final.

From that point forward, the student’s repayment obligation exists exclusively between Climb and the student. Your school has zero liability if the student defaults, and you keep the full upfront payment regardless of the student’s future payment performance.

They’re automatically offered our 0% Interest Payment Plan, ensuring no student is turned away while maintaining steady monthly cash flow for your school.

Higher-credit students generate larger upfront payments (75-100% of tuition), while students with limited credit use our 0% APR* Payment Plan for consistent monthly revenue. Both options are risk-free for your school

Absolutely. Climb complements existing payment options like scholarships, employer-sponsored programs, and internal financing.

Absolutely. Climb complements existing payment options like scholarships, employer-sponsored programs, and internal financing.

Typically, within 5-10 business days after your partnership agreement is signed.

Comprehensive onboarding webinar, continuous partner support via AI-assisted chat and live email—and real-time borrower assistance with our live-chat-available student success team.

No. Climb fully manages the administrative responsibilities—your team simply monitors your school’s performance via our intuitive School Portal.

Your school is fully protected either way. For Climb Loans, you keep the entire upfront payment with zero liability. For Payment Plans, you only receive what students actually pay, with no risk to your school.