(FLINT, Mich, April 6, 2023) –Employment for HVACR mechanics and installers is projected to grow 5 percent from 2021 to 2031, with about 40,100 openings projected each year, on average, over the decade, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
The median annual wage for HVACR mechanics and installers was $48,630 in May 2021, with salaries ranging as high as $78,000 per year, according to the BLS.
As the world experiences extreme temperatures due to climate change, we rely on our HVACR systems to stay comfortable more than ever. Government and industry are developing new eco-friendly standards and technologies to help combat global warming while helping us keep our cool.
These technological advancements in the climate control industry are creating a high demand for trained Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration (HVACR) installers and mechanics. This is good news for Mott Community College’s (MCC) HVAC students and alumni.
“This career field is not only in high demand, it has a lot of job security,” said Jeff Brandes, program coordinator for MCC’s HVACR program.
“It is virtually impossible to off-shore these jobs, and the skills are not easily replaced with technology,” Brandes added.
Matt Urch, of SGI Heating and Cooling in Flint, agrees with Brandes.
“There is definitely high demand for new technicians,” he said. “The workforce is depleted and the new efficiency regulations are going to require that HVACR technicians know how to calculate proper CFM and perform charging on equipment. The instructors at MCC are good at equipping their students with the tools and knowledge they need to do the job well.”
The shrinking workforce is due in part to fewer professional trades programs being offered at the high school level, and an aging workforce, according to Leif Johnson, of Goyette Mechanical in Flint.
“Right now I could hire four skilled people, and I also have entry level positions open,” Johnson said.
Two changes presenting the most urgent need for more trained professionals in the field are the regulatory phase out of all current refrigerants and changeover to A2L types of refrigerants, and a regulatory requirement increasing equipment efficiency in the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating (SEER), according to Brandes.
Refrigeration technology and air conditioning take up about 15% of the electricity consumption worldwide, making the quest for energy-efficient solutions a high-priority in addressing global warming.
The A2L refrigerants have lower toxicity and flammability, making them safer to use than previously common CFC and HFC refrigerants, and they have a significantly lower global warming potential.
The changes in the SEER cooling efficiencies (called SEER2) require that cooling products and equipment achieve regional minimum efficiencies, with higher ratings for warmer climates.
“This industry is ever-changing,” said Johnson, “The equipment you put in today could be obsolete in 10 years. The SEER ratings are making HVACR systems more efficient. Out of necessity, this new equipment is more technical, which is perfect for the younger generation because they are more familiar with computerized technology.”
“Probably one of the best selling points of this career is that you can take these skills anywhere in the world and have a high paying job,” added Urch. “And the rewards are way more than just money, you directly affect people’s lives by keeping them safe and comfortable.”
MCC offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technology, and a one-year certificate in Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Technology. For more information about the HVACR program at MCC, visit https://www.mcc.edu/degree-pathway/ACHR2.shtml or contact Brandes at 810-762-0042 or jeff.brandes@mcc.edu.
