North Texas Talent: Hannah Brackin - HVAC Technician

More About HVAC Technicians

High-End Earners (Top 10%)

$74,098 annually

Median earners (TOP 50%)

$57,477 annually

Education Required

Postsecondary Nondegree Award

(Source: InterLink 2026 Data, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers)

CTE Pathway

HVAC and Sheet Metal Statewide Program of Study

Take courses like Principles of Construction, Refrigeration Technology and Sheet Metal Technology.

See pages 16-17 for the full breakdown of the courses you can take in HVAC and Sheet Metal.

(Source: tea.texas.gov/academics/college-career-and-military-prep/career-and-technical-education/cte-programs-of-study)

MAKING A DIFFERENCE

HVAC technicians do some of the most important behind-the-scenes work there is — keeping the air we breathe clean and the temperatures we live and work in comfortable, day in and day out.

You MIGHT be great at this job if YOU…

Enjoy working and learning with your hands
Love solving puzzles, finding logic and reason, and enjoy working through challenges
Do well in your math and science classes
Enjoy independent work better than group or class projects

Hannah Brackin hasn't always envisioned herself working in construction and trades. Long before she became an HVAC technician, she dreamed of opening a bakery or bookstore – even going as far as to look into the logistics and finances of it in middle school. Although this dream did not become reality, she knew from an early age that she didn’t want to work a typical nine-to-five desk job, and it’s safe to say that she made that future come true. Later in high school, she found her way to HVAC, knowing she loves working with her hands.

“I’ve had a couple [of] mentors in my life that have impacted me, one of the biggest was my dad, who was an HVAC technician and who I helped take [air conditioning] units apart,” Hannah said. “Which made me think of HVAC as an option in high school.”

After high school, she planned on attending Blinn Community College for HVAC in Southeast Texas. She wasn’t entirely convinced this was the correct path for her, and after a year, she moved back home to save money. She then enrolled in a few courses at Hill College and was encouraged to meet with Mr. Allen Dillman, who was over the HVAC program at the time.

“He took me through all the labs, told me what I would be learning, and I finally felt excited to learn the trade,” Hannah said.

During her time at Hill College, Hannah started working at a plant nursery so she could learn the ins and outs of keeping inventory and fine-tune her people skills with customers. Towards the end of her time in school, she landed an internship at Klund Services Heating and Air Conditioning.

“Everyone at Klund helped me understand things I would be stuck on at school, taught me on the job, taught me work techniques, and I continue to learn from them,” Hannah said.

Hannah enjoys the job security her career offers. Being located in North Texas, especially the Dallas-Fort Worth area, heating and air conditioning are essential during the winter and summer months. Days are long and hot from May to early October, and winter ice storms are brutal from the end of December to early March. She loves that every day is something new, and she gets to problem-solve on the spot. Her career has even taught her how to be more financially independent and responsible.

“Absolutely nothing that works correctly is cheap. Having to buy all new tools, specialized or not, plus the cost of living, you definitely have to budget with certain aspects of your life,” Hannah said. “Don’t spend more in a month than you make in a month. Yes, it sounds simple, but only a couple [of] dollars a day can easily add up to a couple hundred in a month.”