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What is a compressor technician and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
2 min read
There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a compressor technician. For example, did you know that they make an average of $21.18 an hour? That's $44,060 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 10% and produce 12,100 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreCompressor TechnicianUS Average
Salary
3.4

Avg. Salary $44,060

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
5.7

Growth rate 10%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
6.4
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.37%

Asian 5.05%

Black or African American 9.40%

Hispanic or Latino 16.15%

Unknown 6.26%

White 62.77%

Gender

female 7.53%

male 92.47%

Age - 41
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 41
Stress level
5.7

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level
6.3

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
6.6

Work life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Compressor technician career paths

Key steps to become a compressor technician

  1. Explore compressor technician education requirements

    Most common compressor technician degrees

    High School Diploma

    37.0 %

    Associate

    26.1 %

    Bachelor's

    18.5 %
  2. Start to develop specific compressor technician skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Hand Tools11.82%
    Air Compressors10.40%
    Air Equipment9.62%
    Ariel7.98%
    Dryers5.56%
  3. Complete relevant compressor technician training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 3-6 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New compressor technicians learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a compressor technician based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real compressor technician resumes.
  4. Research compressor technician duties and responsibilities

    • Have visited various locations and have accomplished field preventive maintenance on compressors.
    • Perform daily maintenance for the mixers and fillers.
    • Design and oversee installation of commercial HVAC system compressors.
    • Test electro-mechanical subsystems for circuit integrity and operational reliability.
  5. Prepare your compressor technician resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your compressor technician resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a compressor technician resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable compressor technician resume templates

    Build a professional compressor technician resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your compressor technician resume.
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
    Compressor Technician Resume
  6. Apply for compressor technician jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a compressor technician job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first compressor technician job

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Average compressor technician salary

The average compressor technician salary in the United States is $44,060 per year or $21 per hour. Compressor technician salaries range between $23,000 and $81,000 per year.

Average compressor technician salary
$44,060 Yearly
$21.18 hourly

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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