In Texas, the summer heat is legendary. Consider the summer of 2011: Central Texas broke records with its 44-day hot streak of triple-digit temperatures that started in June and ended in August. And Central Texas wasn't the only area breaking records. So did the Hill Country, South Texas, the Panhandle, and many cities in Texas and beyond.

Perhaps that's why the U.S. Department of Energy reports that two-thirds of all homes in the nation have air conditioning. Because of this high demand, the HVAC industry (Heating, Air Conditioning and Ventilation) is booming — and it doesn't appear to be letting up anytime soon.

State & National

• Employment is expected to grow 28% through 2018, much higher than the average for most occupations.

• Annual median wage:   $44,860

• Mean hourly wage:       $20.45

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, job prospects for heating, air-conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers are expected to be excellent, particularly for those who have completed training from an accredited technical school or a formal apprenticeship.

Statistics Source: U. S. Department of Labor Statistics and www.energysavers.gov  (Wages will vary by experience, location and employer.)

Possible Jobs & Statistics

Information gathered from WantedAnalytics, WorkInTexas.com, BLS.gov, and O*NET Online

Rick Tullis, P.E. President of Capstone Mechanical “TSTC grads get a great foundation in the science behind air conditioning, which is what serves them well when it comes to actually getting out in the field and servicing equipment, resolving tough problems. If you don’t have that science background it is a very difficult job. You have to know the how’s and why’s of what is going on in a system.”