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Facilities technician vs refrigeration technician

The differences between facilities technicians and refrigeration technicians can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a facilities technician and a refrigeration technician. Additionally, a refrigeration technician has an average salary of $50,701, which is higher than the $40,344 average annual salary of a facilities technician.

The top three skills for a facilities technician include preventative maintenance, HVAC and plumbing. The most important skills for a refrigeration technician are preventative maintenance, hand tools, and ladders.

Facilities technician vs refrigeration technician overview

Facilities TechnicianRefrigeration Technician
Yearly salary$40,344$50,701
Hourly rate$19.40$24.38
Growth rate5%5%
Number of jobs199,414131,115
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 31%
Average age4740
Years of experience44

What does a facilities technician do?

Facilities Technicians are employees who manage the upkeep of the company's facilities. They are in charge of maintaining the different equipment, fixtures, and furniture in the office. They conduct routine maintenance and regular check-ups to ensure that everything is working properly at all times. In case of malfunctioning items, facilities technicians try to repair these items if they know how or schedule the item for repair. They also ensure that the facility's occupational safety and health standards are met, and the employees follow safety protocols.

What does a refrigeration technician do?

A refrigeration technician is responsible for managing refrigeration and cooling systems for private households and commercial establishments. Refrigeration technicians install refrigeration components, requiring them to have an excellent analysis of blueprints and schematics. They inspect the system components and inform the household owners and management for preventive maintenance and troubleshooting for minor defects and inconsistencies, as well as calculating costs and materials for repairs. A refrigeration technician must be well-equipped with mechanical knowledge to identify failures and upgrade units as necessary.

Facilities technician vs refrigeration technician salary

Facilities technicians and refrigeration technicians have different pay scales, as shown below.

Facilities TechnicianRefrigeration Technician
Average salary$40,344$50,701
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $59,000Between $33,000 And $75,000
Highest paying CitySaint Paul, MNBaltimore, MD
Highest paying stateMinnesotaDelaware
Best paying companyMetaMicron Technology
Best paying industryEnergyManufacturing

Differences between facilities technician and refrigeration technician education

There are a few differences between a facilities technician and a refrigeration technician in terms of educational background:

Facilities TechnicianRefrigeration Technician
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 30%Associate Degree, 31%
Most common majorBusinessHeating And Air Conditioning
Most common college--

Facilities technician vs refrigeration technician demographics

Here are the differences between facilities technicians' and refrigeration technicians' demographics:

Facilities TechnicianRefrigeration Technician
Average age4740
Gender ratioMale, 90.3% Female, 9.7%Male, 97.2% Female, 2.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.9% Asian, 4.4% White, 58.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%Black or African American, 7.2% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 23.7% Asian, 2.5% White, 61.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%
LGBT Percentage2%2%

Differences between facilities technician and refrigeration technician duties and responsibilities

Facilities technician example responsibilities.

  • Manage all contract work including snow removal, mowing, asphalt work, and signage.
  • Prepare bids for services, maintain RO/DI system, cooling towers, chillers, waste water systems and hazardous waste disposal.
  • Perform general building maintenance duties including basic plumbing and electrical repairs.
  • Maintain boilers and ice chillers per school standards and manufacturer specifications.
  • Perform preventive maintenance in conjunction with all building maintenance and/or cleanliness relate items.
  • Maintain responsibility for all facility maintenance including HVAC equipment, plumbing and minor electrical repairs.
  • Show more

Refrigeration technician example responsibilities.

  • Assist with and, on occasion, manage installation and modification of building HVAC/R systems.
  • Operate, inspect, service, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
  • Repair and maintain residential heating and air conditioning systems, replacing compressors, condensers and evaporators.
  • Run PVC piping for drainage systems.
  • Install compressors, capacitors and contactors.
  • Clean strainers and pumpdown compressors for pms.
  • Show more

Facilities technician vs refrigeration technician skills

Common facilities technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 12%
  • HVAC, 10%
  • Plumbing, 10%
  • Customer Service, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%
  • Ladders, 3%
Common refrigeration technician skills
  • Preventative Maintenance, 8%
  • Hand Tools, 5%
  • Ladders, 5%
  • Refrigeration Equipment, 5%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 5%
  • OSHA, 4%

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