What is a refrigeration mechanic and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

5 min read

Quoted expert

John Terasconi

A refrigeration mechanic installs, maintains, and repairs refrigeration systems in commercial, industrial, and residential buildings. They ensure efficient and effective systems and operations while maintaining safety standards. A refrigeration mechanic requires an understanding of electrical and mechanical systems, as well as knowledge of refrigerants and their properties. They may also troubleshoot and diagnose issues, replace faulty parts, and perform routine maintenance. A refrigeration mechanic ensures that people and products remain safe and functional.

What general advice would you give to a refrigeration mechanic?

John Terasconi

Associate Professor, HVAC-R Department Chair, Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology

The best advice I could give is to stay focused on your job and strive to learn as much as possible. Take the time to truly understand the systems you're working on, continuously develop your skills, and absorb as much knowledge as possible from every source available. The more you know, the more valuable you become.

ScoreRefrigeration MechanicUS Average

Salary

3.7

Avg. Salary $47,677

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

8.1

Growth rate 5%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

7.9

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.74%

Asian 2.70%

Black or African American 8.68%

Hispanic or Latino 20.29%

Unknown 4.19%

White 63.39%

Gender

female 2.76%

male 97.24%

Age - 39

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 - 39

Stress level

8.1

Stress level is high

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.3

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

2.9

Work life balance is poor

6.4 - fair

What are the pros and cons of being a refrigeration mechanic?

Pros

Opportunities for advancement
Ability to work independently or as part of a team
Opportunity to problem-solve and use critical thinking skills
Opportunity to learn and gain certifications
Ability to make a positive impact on the environment by ensuring efficient energy use

Cons

Risk of injury from equipment and machinery
Work can be physically demanding, including heavy lifting and long hours on your feet
Can be stressful, particularly in emergency repair situations
May require travel or overnight stays away from home
May require dealing with difficult customers or contractors

Key steps to become a refrigeration mechanic

Explore refrigeration mechanic education requirements

Most common refrigeration mechanic degrees

Associate

33.0 %

High School Diploma

26.7 %

Certificate

14.7 %

Start to develop specific refrigeration mechanic skills

Skills	Percentages
Preventative Maintenance	7.06%
Hand Tools	6.39%
Ventilation	5.47%
Condensers	5.30%
Ammonia	5.09%

Complete relevant refrigeration mechanic training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-2 years on post-employment, on-the-job training. New refrigeration mechanics 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 mechanic based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real refrigeration mechanic resumes.

Gain additional refrigeration mechanic certifications

Refrigeration mechanic certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific refrigeration mechanic certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

The most common certifications for refrigeration mechanics include EPA Amusement Operators Safety Certification (EPA) and Journeyman Air Conditioning & Refrigeration.

More About Certifications

Research refrigeration mechanic duties and responsibilities

Assist with and, on occasion, manage installation and modification of building HVAC/R systems.
Perform daily checks of ammonia compressors, condensers, evaporators, troubleshoot ammonia systems, replace electrical motors and devices.
Install operated, maintain, and repair heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration systems.
Complete daily checklists of water chillers, evaporators, pumps, and condensers to insure proper running order.

Prepare your refrigeration mechanic resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your refrigeration mechanic 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 mechanic 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 mechanic resume templates

Build a professional refrigeration mechanic 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 mechanic resume.