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Compressor technician education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a compressor technician. Compressor technicians usually study automotive technology, electrical engineering technology, or business. 37% of compressor technicians hold a high school diploma, and 26% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 320 real compressor technician resumes to see exactly what compressor technician education sections show.

The most common colleges for compressor technicians are the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee and the Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee.

There are also many online compressor technician courses to help get the education required to be a compressor technician.

What education do you need to become a compressor technician?

What degree do you need to be a compressor technician?

The most common degree for compressor technicians is high school diploma, with 37% of compressor technicians earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 26% and associate degree degree at 18%.
  • High School Diploma, 37%
  • Associate, 26%
  • Bachelor's, 18%
  • Diploma, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 11%

What should I major in to become a compressor technician?

You should major in automotive technology to become a compressor technician. 17% of compressor technicians major in automotive technology. Other common majors for a compressor technician include electrical engineering technology and business.

Most common colleges for compressor technicians

Compressor technicians often get their degrees at Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee, SUNY Buffalo State, and Morehead State University. Here are the most common colleges for compressor technicians in the US based on their resumes.
Compressor technician common collegePercentages
Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology - Okmulgee10.34%
SUNY Buffalo State10.34%
Morehead State University10.34%
Lamar University6.90%
University of Phoenix6.90%

Best majors for compressor technicians

Best colleges for compressor technicians

The best colleges for compressor technicians are Purdue University, Loyola Marymount University, and Johns Hopkins University.

A compressor technician with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for compressor technicians. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become compressor technicians.

1. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Enrollment

11,139

2. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$9,816

Enrollment

21,047

5. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$11,788

Enrollment

11,008

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$51,828

Enrollment

26,339

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

8. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Enrollment

17,321

9. Kansas State University

Manhattan, KS • Private

In-state tuition

$10,383

Enrollment

17,611

10. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Enrollment

9,394

20 best online courses for compressor technicians

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Top 10 most affordable universities for compressor technicians

The most affordable schools for compressor technicians are SUNY Farmingdale, university of puerto rico - mayaguez, and haskell indian nations university.

If the best universities for compressor technicians are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for compressor technicians.

1. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

2. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez

Mayaguez, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$4,094

Cost of attendance

14,302

3. Haskell Indian Nations University

Lawrence, KS • Private

In-state tuition

$480

Cost of attendance

9,077

4. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

5. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Cost of attendance

22,430

6. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

In-state tuition

$4,118

Cost of attendance

12,223

7. New Mexico State University

Las Cruces, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$6,686

Cost of attendance

17,885

8. Inter American University of Puerto Rico Bayamon

Bayamon, PR • Private

In-state tuition

$5,940

Cost of attendance

13,508

9. Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$7,292

Cost of attendance

20,387

10. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

In-state tuition

$7,633

Cost of attendance

19,235

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for compressor technicians

The hardest universities for compressor technicians to get into are Purdue University, Loyola Marymount University, and Johns Hopkins University.

Some great schools for compressor technicians are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for compressor technicians based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

Admissions rate

58%

SAT average

1,309

2. Loyola Marymount University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,321

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

4. American University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

32%

SAT average

1,320

5. Rochester Institute of Technology

Rochester, NY • Private

Admissions rate

66%

SAT average

1,319

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,324

7. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

Admissions rate

52%

SAT average

1,365

8. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

9. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo

San Luis Obispo, CA • Private

Admissions rate

30%

SAT average

1,339

10. North Carolina State University

Raleigh, NC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,336

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for compressor technicians

The easiest schools for compressor technicians to get into are Ferris State University, towson university, and long island university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a compressor technician without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for compressor technicians.

1. Ferris State University

Big Rapids, MI • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,070

2. Towson University

Towson, MD • Private

Admissions rate

79%

SAT average

1,131

3. Long Island University

Brookville, NY • Private

Admissions rate

76%

SAT average

1,167

4. Trevecca Nazarene University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

64%

SAT average

1,121

5. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,091

6. Tarleton State University

Stephenville, TX • Private

Admissions rate

55%

SAT average

1,056

7. Brigham Young University - Idaho

Rexburg, ID • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,140

8. Southern Illinois University Carbondale

Carbondale, IL • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,124

9. University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM • Private

Admissions rate

70%

SAT average

1,120

10. SUNY College of Technology at Canton

Canton, NY • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

997

Average compressor technician salary by education level

Compressor technicians with a Bachelor's degree earn more than those without, at $48,590 annually. With a Associate degree, compressor technicians earn a median annual income of $45,176 compared to $39,973 for compressor technicians with an High School Diploma degree.
Compressor technician education levelCompressor technician salary
High School Diploma or Less$39,973
Bachelor's Degree$48,590
Some College/ Associate Degree$45,176

Compressor technician education FAQs

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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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