If you are fascinated by the machinery inside different gadgets and are always trying to figure out how they work, then becoming an HVAC technician can be quite lucrative for you. HVAC is a very interesting and engaging field with an ever-growing job market, particularly in Pittsburg.
If you want to become a successful professional in the HVAC industry, it will be best to get professional training. This will not only make you proficient in this field but will also help you get much further along your career path.
Here we will discuss some of the top HVAC schools in Pittsburg, what programs are offered by them, as well as the salary and job prospects for HVAC technicians in this city.
Requirements to Be an HVAC Technician in Pittsburgh
Pennsylvania is the sixth most populous state in the US. Its diverse climate conditions consist of two major climate zones – humid subtropical and humid continental. As a result, Pittsburg has a booming HVAC industry with a high demand for qualified HVAC professionals to repair, install, and maintain these HVAC systems. Proper education can help you become a sought-after HVAC technician.
In Pittsburg, there are no licensure or certification requirements for most contractors. However, some areas may need an HVAC contractor license to install, repair, or alter mechanical systems.
Although HVAC contractors in Pittsburg do not require state licensure for their projects, HVAC engineers require at least four years of schooling before they can start working.
Salary and Job Outlook in Pittsburgh
On average, the HVAC technicians make $22.12 an hour, with the starting wage of $14.02, which goes up to $31.56. On the other hand, the national income of HVAC technicians is $22.07 per hour or $45,910 annually. HVAC technicians in Pittsburg make an average of $46,000 annually with a minimum salary of $29,170 and a maximum salary of $65,640. Hence, the pay offered by Pittsburgh is almost equal to the national median salary.
Salaries may vary according to the general competitiveness of the market. Moreover, you can expect an increase in your salary with experience and certifications.
According to research, employment of air conditioning, refrigeration, and heating mechanics and installers is projected to grow almost 13% from 2018 to 2028. This growth is much faster as compared to the average for all occupations. An increase in residential and commercial building construction is expected to increase employment, thus enhancing job opportunities for HVAC technicians.
List of the Top HVAC Schools in Pittsburgh
There is a very high demand for HVAC technicians in Pittsburg. This city has shown explosive job growth in this field. Therefore, it is important to carefully consider the merits of the various prestigious HVAC technical schools in the city before choosing one.
Once you begin your HVAC technician course, you learn about many things, including training on how to inspect the elements and correctly diagnose issues with the Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning systems, and also Refrigeration. You will not only learn about repairing and maintaining HVAC systems but will also learn about installing them.
Here we will compare the different programs offered by some top schools so that you can choose the one that promises to realize your potential to the fullest:
All State Career School
Our Review of the Program
If you want to pursue a career in the HVAC field, then one of the best schools to get training is the All-State Career School. Getting your HVAC education from this school will help you achieve your career goals in a relatively short period of time.
The advent of computers has completely changed how the refrigeration and air-conditioning systems work. Now a majority of the ventilation, refrigeration, heating, and air conditioning systems are computer-controlled. Therefore, the HVAC technician requires advanced technical knowledge so that they can effectively control indoor climate conditions, food preservation, production processes, and more.
The program offered by the All-State Career School provides trainees with the hands-on training required to work with all the latest heat pumps and systems, a/c and control systems, and refrigeration systems.
The teachers and staff at the All State Career School work very hard to prepare their students for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Refrigerant Transition and Recovery Certification test. By getting good grades in this test, you can increase your marketability in the industry, which in turn leads to better employment opportunities. Trainees also receive a diploma after completing their training as they become fully-equipped with the essential industry-standard skills needed to successfully obtain an ideal entry-level job.
The All-State Career School also offers an excellent level of preparation and guidance for the job search process. They hold on-campus job fairs, provide help with career placement, and give demonstrations for interviewing successfully and writing exceptional cover letters and résumés.
This school perfectly grooms their trainees by teaching them essential communication skills needed for requesting interviews through email or by phone. They also help their trainees gain the confidence required for in-person interviews, thus making sure that they stand out among the competition and leave an unforgettable impression.
Triangle Tech
Our Review of the Program
Triangle Tech is a great institute that offers HVAC/R associate’s degrees where students are not just given theory classes – they also receive hands-on training. In this program, trainees learn about transport refrigeration, commercial and residential refrigeration, ventilation system, refrigeration troubleshooting, in addition to all the basics relating to commercial and residential HVAC and HVAC/R.
Students in Triangle Tech’s RHVAC program become highly-skilled in the maintenance and operation of the latest refrigeration systems and environmental controls. This program gives them the working knowledge of even the most sophisticated cooling, heating, and refrigeration systems.
The dedicated and hard-working teachers of Triangle Tech prepare their graduates for lucrative employment as RHVAC technicians that are skilled in both commercial and residential applications. After completing this course, graduates will receive an Associate in Specialized Technology Degree (AST Degree).
In addition, the students at Triangle Tech are provided with a wide variety of services to help develop their study skills, manage their time, and to cope and control stress. The teachers at Triangle Tech only want the students to succeed in their training; therefore, from the very first day, they facilitate the students with the ultimate goal to launch them on a great job.
Pittsburgh Technical College
Our Review of the Program
The associate degree offered by the Pittsburgh Technical College in HVAC technology gives the students a chance to master the fundamentals of refrigeration, heating, air conditioning, and ventilation. The learning provided is both hands-on and practical as you troubleshoot, install, and repair heat pumps, refrigeration units, air conditioning units, and standard and high-efficiency furnaces used in commercial and residential facilities. Students not only learn the theory but are also explained the mechanics of the equipment.
The aim of this program is also to enhance the professional skills of students in personal finance, career success, and critical thinking. Students are also offered an internship with local firms where they can apply their studies in the real world to gain first-hand experience. This helps students to become the kind of problem-solver and trained professional that the employers today want in their employees.
There are two HVAC programs offered by the college. The certification program consists of hands-on and classroom training in ductwork, reading blueprints and design drawings, customer service, control systems, in addition to troubleshooting, installation, testing, and servicing of commercial and residential equipment.
The associate program, on the other hand, builds on the certificate program with advanced courses and training in load calculations, Hydronics, psychometrics, ethics, human relations, and chillers. Students belonging to both programs have to do an internship and give the test for industry certification exams, including the Green Awareness, R-410A Safety, EPA Section 608, and Industry Competency (ICE). After graduation, it will be possible for the students to sit for the NATE exam as well as apply for an entry-level position.
Rosedale Technical College
Our Review of the Program
Rosedale Technical College is a fantastic institution where you can enroll and profit from an exceptionally amazing HVAC course. This school is located in one of the most gorgeous and vibrant areas in Pittsburg and provides a welcoming place for students from where they can start a new career.
Its amazing campus, competent teachers, and the outstanding program ensure that students will not just learn but will also enjoy their time here. Moreover, the school also provides aid to students who are not financially strong.
The HVAC program offered by the Rosedale Technical College is one of the best in the country. It is focused on helping students get the best education and become skilled in their new careers. After completing this program, you will be able to open your own business or get an entry-level job easily.
After completing the program from Rosedale, you will receive an associate degree in HVAC. The curriculum of this program includes heat pump diagnostics, basic refrigeration, hydronic heating system, thermodynamic, and how to analyze control systems.
This school is also equipped with a fully-functional lab where students will receive hands-on training as well as classroom lectures. The lab includes all the latest commercial and residential tools and equipment, thus allowing students to receive extensive hands-on training for HVAC in these applications. After completing this rigorous program, students will be able to earn the EPA Section 608 Refrigerant Handling Certification.
Community College of Allegheny County
Our Review of the Program
The Energy Innovation Center in Pittsburg is the second CCAC location to offer a trades program. The classrooms are equipped with current, industry-standard applications. This hands-on learning space uses both a laboratory and a classroom setting to help students immediately sharpen their newly-acquired skills. You can get a one-year certificate in HVAC from this institute.
There are both credit and non-credit Skilled Trades courses offered at the Community College of Allegheny County. These courses are taught by distinguished instructors with real-world expertise. Credit courses will help you earn a degree or a certificate while the non-credit classes are formatted to provide immediate vocational skills.
The HVAC certificate program offered by the Community College of Allegheny County provides the perfect opportunity for people who want to learn a specialized skill that is not only in high demand but also has a high earning potential. This program is also beneficial for construction workers as HVAC is a specialty trade that is needed in almost every project.
Conclusion
Pittsburgh is not just a fantastic place to work and live; it also has some of the most distinguished universities in the country, offering amazing opportunities to study HVAC and become part of this fast-growing profession. These engineering schools offer exceptional HVAC programs and diplomas, coupled with great faculty, facilities, employers, and research facilities.
We hope that the above reviews of the programs offered by some of the top schools will help you choose an institution that is best for you. Before selecting a school, make sure that they offer certifications in your program and research extensively about admission requirements. It is also a good idea to take a tour of the school as it will give a better idea about faculty offerings and facilities.
