Hot Jobs for a Hot Climate: HVAC Jobs in Texas

A job search may be focused on a short-term need, but your career plans should have a long-term strategy. Sometimes, all you have to do is take a walk outside to find inspiration. For example, if you're in Texas, at most times of the year there's a good chance that it will be hot when you step outside--and the need for air conditioning technicians will become obvious.

More broadly, the field of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (popularly known by the abbreviation "HVAC") is a natural for areas such as Texas, where the climate poses a serious challenge to health and comfort. Not surprisingly, HVAC jobs are plentiful in the state, so HVAC training is a sound career option.

HVAC Training for the Long Term
Currently, Texas is the leading state in the nation for HVAC jobs. This isn't surprising, considering that for much of the year, air conditioning is not a luxury: it is a survival necessity. In Houston, for example, the highs stay above 80 for six months out of the year. For three of those months, the average high is above 90 degrees.

Not only is the demand for HVAC training here to stay, but it's also the type of highly-localized service that can't be outsourced. Air conditioning equipment installation and repair are on-site jobs, which adds further stability to the occupation.

Wages and Opportunities
According to national estimates from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the mean annual wage for HVAC jobs is $38,770. Major employers include:

Building equipment contractors
Direct selling establishments
Hardware and plumbing wholesalers
Commercial machinery repair and maintenance firms
Schools

Beyond these high-volume employers, there are more specialized employers such as computer and aerospace manufacturers, whose products depend on sophisticated HVAC systems. These employers offer wages well above those of typical HVAC jobs.

HVAC Certification Requirements
There are HVAC certification requirements at both the state and national level. On a national level, the Environmental Protection Agency requires HVAC certification for all technicians. In addition, there is state licensing in Texas for all individuals operating an air conditioning or refrigeration business.

In other words, getting into the HVAC field is going to require training. However, considering the long-term, stable demand of the occupation, that's a sound investment of time and money.

Sources:
Yahoo! Weather
Bureau of Labor Statistics, "Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers"

About the Author
Richard Barrington is an author and freelance writer. He has written a manuscript on business communication titled "That's Not What You Said!" and a novel entitled "Spinning (out of control)".

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