What kind of career can I have with a refrigeration/HVAC degree?
Asked by A M
My dad keeps saying he wants me to get into that field because it’s going to keep growing because everybody needs cold food. I’m not sure I want to get into a field just to fix refrigerators though?

Best Answer:
Median hourly wage-and-salary earnings of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were $18.11 in May 2006. The middle 50 percent earned between $14.12 and $23.32 an hour. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $11.38, and the top 10 percent earned more than $28.57. Median hourly earnings in the industries employing the largest numbers of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers were: Hardware, and plumbing and heating equipment and supplies merchant wholesalers $20.53 Commercial and industrial machinery and equipment (except automotive and electronic) repair and maintenance 19.95 Direct selling establishments 19.12 Plumbing, heating, and air-conditioning contractors 17.46 Electrical contractors 16.74 Apprentices usually begin at about 50 percent of the wage rate paid to experienced workers. As they gain experience and improve their skills, they receive periodic increases until they reach the wage rate of experienced workers. Heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers enjoy a variety of employer-sponsored benefits. In addition to typical benefits such as health insurance and pension plans, some employers pay for work-related training and provide uniforms, company vans, and tools. About 14 percent of heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are members of a union. The unions to which the greatest numbers of mechanics and installers belong are the sheet metal workers International Association and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipefitting Industry of the United States and Canada.