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What is a refrigeration engine operator 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 refrigeration engine operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $24.97 an hour? That's $51,929 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 5% and produce 20,200 job opportunities across the U.S.
ScoreRefrigeration Engine OperatorUS Average
Salary
4.1

Avg. Salary $51,929

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
8.1

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
9.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 5.58%

Black or African American 12.80%

Hispanic or Latino 19.80%

Unknown 3.94%

White 57.13%

Gender

female 3.70%

male 96.30%

Age - 44
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 - 44
Stress level
8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level
7.5

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance
4.4

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a refrigeration engine operator

  1. Explore refrigeration engine operator education requirements

    Most common refrigeration engine operator degrees

    Bachelor's

    30.8 %

    Associate

    30.8 %

    Certificate

    23.1 %
  2. Start to develop specific refrigeration engine operator skills

    SkillsPercentages
    HVAC76.35%
    Hot Water14.92%
    Cooling Towers8.73%
  3. Complete relevant refrigeration engine operator training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New refrigeration engine operators 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 refrigeration engine operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real refrigeration engine operator resumes.
  4. Research refrigeration engine operator duties and responsibilities

    • Maintain pneumatic systems, electrical systems, gas equipment, HVAC and AC/DC systems.
    • Operate and maintain ammonia refrigeration system perform preventive maintenance on equipment from compressors to tunnel freezers.
    • Exercise attention to detail of paperwork involving math percentages of injections and production.
  5. Prepare your refrigeration engine operator resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your refrigeration engine operator 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 refrigeration engine operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable refrigeration engine operator resume templates

    Build a professional refrigeration engine operator 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 refrigeration engine operator resume.
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
    Refrigeration Engine Operator Resume
  6. Apply for refrigeration engine operator jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a refrigeration engine operator 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 refrigeration engine operator job

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Average refrigeration engine operator salary

The average refrigeration engine operator salary in the United States is $51,929 per year or $25 per hour. Refrigeration engine operator salaries range between $27,000 and $96,000 per year.

Average refrigeration engine operator salary
$51,929 Yearly
$24.97 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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