Heating, Air Conditioning, Ventilation and Refrigeration Maintenance Technology/Technician (HAC, HACR, HVAC, HVACR) at Southeastern Technical Institute

Comparable HVAC programs in Massachusetts suggest first-year earnings around $37,000—right at the state median—with estimated debt under $10,000. That's a manageable 0.25 debt-to-earnings ratio, meaning graduates would owe roughly three months of gross pay. For a trades program, these are sensible numbers that point to a reasonable financial start.

The challenge is the ceiling. While some Massachusetts schools report HVAC graduates earning over $50,000 in their first year, peer programs across the state typically cluster in the mid-$30,000s to low-$40,000s. HVAC work can lead to strong middle-class earnings over time, especially for technicians who pursue additional certifications or start their own businesses, but the initial payoff appears modest compared to what similar training costs elsewhere in the trades. The low debt load helps offset this—spending less than $10,000 to enter a stable field with consistent demand is objectively better than borrowing twice that amount.

Since these figures come from other Massachusetts HVAC programs rather than Southeastern Technical Institute's actual graduates, your child should ask the school directly about job placement rates and starting wages for recent completers. A certificate program with this debt level carries limited financial risk, but knowing where their graduates actually land would help you assess whether this particular pathway delivers on the field's promise.