Skilled Trades
HVAC Technician
Climate control never goes out of style.
AI Risk Score: 2/10
Score is our body/liability/scarcity rubric, calibrated against public AI-exposure research.
What you actually do
Install and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Why AI does not easily replace it
Hands-on troubleshooting and compliance with refrigerant and safety standards require certified people.
What it pays
$45,000 - $79,000
BLS OOH: HVAC Mechanics and Installers (May 2024 pay)
How to get in
Trade school or apprenticeship + EPA certification.
Where demand is growing
Extreme weather and efficiency retrofits keep pipelines full.
"The moat is not a prompt. It is responsibility in the real world."