While HVAC technicians are certainly in high demand (the Bureau of Labor and Statistics predicts a 21% growth rate over the next 8 years) a person who has completed HVAC training and has some on the job experience does not have to limit him or herself to a career in HVAC repair. Following are four other career options that are also worth considering.
Sales Representative
An HVAC degree, coupled with on the job experience, can enable you to easily become a successful sales representative for an HVAC company. Instead of doing manual labor, a 
sales representative approaches people who may need HVAC services, evaluating jobs and offering price estimates. According to HVAC Certification Guide, former HVAC technicians have the potential to do well in this field because they have knowledge gained from their experience working with this kind of equipment. Professionals in this field can earn an annual salary of $72,000 a year.
Instructor
HVAC training and experience can enable a person to work as an instructor for a trade school or specialty school. While a bachelor’s degree is typically required in order to take advantage of such a job opportunity, many people have successfully become instructors with only an associate’s degree or even just a high school diploma. Technical and career instructors typically earn a median annual wage of nearly $52,000 a year, and growth in this job sector is expected to be about as fast as average, according to the BLS.
Mechanical Engineer
Individuals with an HVAC degree have experience working with intricate systems and determining errors in technical training. This may give them a leg up if they’re interested in becoming mechanical engineers, as the job involves planning and designing HVAC and other mechanical units, and overseeing the creation and installation of such units. Mechanical engineers are generally required to have a bachelor’s degree; however, the pay can make up for the cost of additional education, as a mechanical engineer earns a mean annual wage of nearly $86,000, according to the BLS.
Contractor
Once you have an HVAC degree, you can branch out and choose a field that you want to specialize in. Education Portal advises that specialization enables you to earn higher wages, move into a position of responsibility (which means higher pay and less intense work hours) or even become an independent contractor with your own team of workers. As a contractor, you can choose to specialize in one particular field or use your various areas of expertise to offer a wide range of services to both commercial and residential clients.
As you can see, there are plenty of job options available for those who have basic HVAC training and on the job experience. This field not only offers a number of promising job opportunities, but can also be relatively easy to get into with proper training and certification. Furthermore, the BLS notes that most jobs in this field are set to grow faster than average, ensuring that those who want work will have little trouble finding it.
Author Bio:
Audrey Clark is a skilled freelance blogger covering a range of topics from careers and finance to travel and leisure, along with everything in-between. When not writing, she’s always on the lookout for her next adventure. Connect with Audrey on Twitter and Google+.
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