How to hire a refrigeration installer

How to hire a refrigeration installer, step by step

Here's a step-by-step refrigeration installer hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a refrigeration installer job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new refrigeration installer
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the refrigeration installer you need to hire. Certain refrigeration installer roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A refrigeration installer's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, refrigeration installers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of refrigeration installers and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Refrigeration Installer	Description	Hourly rate
   Refrigeration Installer	Heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers—often called heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (HVACR) technicians—work on heating, ventilation, cooling, and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in buildings.	$14-30
   Hvac Mechanic	An HVAC mechanic specializes in installing and repairing heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems, ensuring quality and efficiency. Their responsibilities revolve around communicating with clients to identify their needs, troubleshooting, identifying the root of issues, and performing corrective measures... Show more	$16-35
   Hvac Technician	An HVAC technician is qualified personnel who installs and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems that control the temperature and air quality in both residential and commercial buildings. A technician's job may include repairing of pipe that is leaking, replacing a defective mechanical part, or adjust equipment setting for better performance... Show more	$17-38

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • Brazing
   • Condensers
   • A/C
   • Hand Tools
   • Functional Components
   • Safety Procedures
   • Ice Machines

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist with and, on occasion, manage installation and modification of building HVAC/R systems.
   • Pipe them in .. fitting and brazing.
   • Perform troubleshooting and servicing of HVAC units and refrigeration equipment.
   • Develop PSM team for handling ongoing system integrity and safety in a collaborative environment.
   • Deliver and install washer/dryers, refrigerators and dishwashers

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your refrigeration installer job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A refrigeration installer salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, refrigeration installers' average salary in west virginia is 57% less than in alaska.
   • Seniority. Entry-level refrigeration installers earn 52% less than senior-level refrigeration installers.
   • Certifications. A refrigeration installer with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a refrigeration installer's salary.

   Average refrigeration installer salary

   $43,959yearly

   $21.13 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level refrigeration installer salary

   $30,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 11, 2026

4. Writing a refrigeration installer job description

   A job description for a refrigeration installer role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a refrigeration installer job description:

   Refrigeration installer job description example

   Save Cancel
   
   The Refrigeration Installation Technician is responsible for accurately installing Refrigeration equipment in commercial structures. Ideal candidates will have knowledge of Refrigeration equipment, codes, and proper installation procedures in the retail/supermarket environment.
   
   Responsibilities:
   
   + Replace any refrigeration equipment or complete systems.
   
   + Install new refrigeration systems in remodeled rooms or buildings.
   
   + Test pipe or tubing joints and connections for leaks, using a pressure gauge, leak detector, or soap-and-water solution.
   
   + Join/braze pipes or tubing to the equipment and to the fuel, water, or refrigerant source in order to form a complete circuit.
   
   + Test electrical circuits and components for continuity, using electrical test equipment.
   
   + Lay out and connect electrical wiring between the controls and equipment according to the wiring diagram, using an electrician's hand tools.
   
   + Obtain and maintain required certifications.
   
   + Install, connect, and adjust thermostats, humidistats, and timers, using hand tools.
   
   + Comply with all applicable standards, policies, and procedures, including safety procedures and the maintenance of a clean work area.
   
   + Inspect and test systems to verify compliance with plans and specifications and to detect and locate malfunctions.
   
   Duties:
   
   + Knowledge of Refrigeration codes and proper application; knowledge of proper electrical and safety.
   
   + Ability to effectively communicate information and respond to questions in person-to-person and small group situations with internal and external customers.
   
   + Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, customer-focused work environment; ability to balance workload with installers' and customers' needs.
   
   + Ability to establish rapport with customers.
   
   + Ability to maintain confidentiality and use discretion with information.
   
   + Ability to read and understand documents such as policy manuals, safety rules, and procedure manuals.
   
   + Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
   
   + Must have strong math skills.
   
   + Ability to utilize common-sense understanding in order to carry out written, oral, or diagrammed instructions.
   
   + Ability to take timely action to effectively solve problems, using established policies and procedures.
   
   + Willingness to assist in other departments as needed (HVAC install/service PMs)
   
   Requirements:
   
   + 1+ years of Refrigeration field experience.
   
   + Valid driver's license.
   
   + High school diploma or equivalent.
   
   + Universial EPA Certified (or able to obtain within 90days of employment)
   
   + Ability to explain technical information to non-technical customers.
   
   + Ability to work out of town when needed and varying shifts as needed. (Note: when working out of town, crew is home on weekends)
   
   + Able to work at heights (ability to work on and climb ladders/work on scissor lifts).
   
   Preferred Qualifications:
   
   + Universal EPA Certified (required within 90days of employment)
   
   + Scissor Lift Training
   
   + OSHA 10 or OSHA30 Card
   
   + Signal/Rigger Certification
   
   + Successful completion of a certified installation training program and apprenticeship geared towards HVAC/R.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find refrigeration installers for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any refrigeration installers they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level refrigeration installers with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your refrigeration installer job on Zippia to find and recruit refrigeration installer candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit refrigeration installers, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new refrigeration installer

   Once you've found the refrigeration installer candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new refrigeration installer first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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