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As of October 2025, refrigeration mechanics earn an average salary of $47,677 annually. Salary variations are common based on geographic location, experience level, and the specific industry. For instance, seasoned professionals can command higher wages in states like California and New York, where demand for skilled technicians is consistently strong.
Entry-level positions typically start around $35,000, while experienced refrigeration mechanics can earn upwards of $60,000 annually. These figures reflect the importance of certifications and specialized training, which can lead to higher-paying roles in industrial and commercial settings.
Additionally, factors such as overtime hours and employer benefits can significantly impact total compensation. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring refrigeration mechanics navigate their career paths effectively.
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Let Zippi find your next refrigeration mechanic job
The highest-paying states for refrigeration mechanics are North Dakota, Washington, and Connecticut. The lowest average refrigeration mechanic salary states are Oklahoma, Alabama, and Louisiana.
| Rank | State | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | North Dakota | $69,251 | $33.29 |
| 2 | Delaware | $65,979 | $31.72 |
| 3 | Vermont | $66,613 | $32.03 |
| 4 | Idaho | $62,636 | $30.11 |
| 5 | Alaska | $63,933 | $30.74 |
| 6 | Montana | $58,839 | $28.29 |
| 7 | Washington | $68,193 | $32.79 |
| 8 | Rhode Island | $67,095 | $32.26 |
| 9 | Wyoming | $57,155 | $27.48 |
| 10 | Nevada | $60,212 | $28.95 |
| 11 | Maine | $60,686 | $29.18 |
| 12 | Connecticut | $67,351 | $32.38 |
| 13 | Maryland | $64,640 | $31.08 |
| 14 | New Hampshire | $66,648 | $32.04 |
| 15 | Iowa | $54,590 | $26.25 |
| 16 | Massachusetts | $66,885 | $32.16 |
| 17 | Minnesota | $61,808 | $29.72 |
| 18 | Wisconsin | $60,089 | $28.89 |
| 19 | South Dakota | $53,839 | $25.88 |
| 20 | West Virginia | $55,330 | $26.60 |
| 21 | New York | $62,704 | $30.15 |
| 22 | New Jersey | $62,278 | $29.94 |
| 23 | District of Columbia | $63,873 | $30.71 |
| 24 | Utah | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| 25 | Nebraska | $49,708 | $23.90 |
| 26 | Oregon | $58,349 | $28.05 |
| 27 | Pennsylvania | $51,954 | $24.98 |
| 28 | California | $60,030 | $28.86 |
| 29 | Michigan | $53,078 | $25.52 |
| 30 | Ohio | $52,145 | $25.07 |
| 31 | Colorado | $52,242 | $25.12 |
| 32 | Indiana | $43,271 | $20.80 |
| 33 | Illinois | $53,354 | $25.65 |
| 34 | Mississippi | $41,687 | $20.04 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $42,115 | $20.25 |
| 36 | North Carolina | $45,299 | $21.78 |
| 37 | Kansas | $47,002 | $22.60 |
| 38 | Virginia | $48,394 | $23.27 |
| 39 | Arkansas | $41,502 | $19.95 |
| 40 | Kentucky | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| 41 | Alabama | $39,000 | $18.75 |
| 42 | New Mexico | $43,052 | $20.70 |
| 43 | Louisiana | $37,243 | $17.91 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | $40,090 | $19.27 |
| 45 | Missouri | $44,370 | $21.33 |
| 46 | Hawaii | $43,248 | $20.79 |
| 47 | Texas | $41,240 | $19.83 |
| 48 | Georgia | $40,458 | $19.45 |
| 49 | Arizona | $35,241 | $16.94 |
| 50 | Tennessee | $35,500 | $17.07 |
| 51 | Florida | $31,372 | $15.08 |
The highest-paying cities for refrigeration mechanics are Seattle, WA, Cambridge, MA, and New York, NY.
| Rank | City | Avg. salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Seattle, WA | $68,590 | $32.98 |
| 2 | Cambridge, MA | $66,812 | $32.12 |
| 3 | New York, NY | $62,710 | $30.15 |
| 4 | Saint Paul, MN | $61,829 | $29.73 |
| 5 | Los Angeles, CA | $57,566 | $27.68 |
| 6 | Waterloo, IA | $55,566 | $26.71 |
| 7 | Erie, PA | $52,157 | $25.08 |
| 8 | Salina, KS | $47,162 | $22.67 |
| 9 | Terre Haute, IN | $42,248 | $20.31 |
| 10 | Florence, KY | $41,694 | $20.05 |
| 11 | Dallas, TX | $41,345 | $19.88 |
| 12 | Milton, GA | $40,867 | $19.65 |
| 13 | New Orleans, LA | $37,127 | $17.85 |
| 14 | Phoenix, AZ | $35,397 | $17.02 |
| 15 | Memphis, TN | $34,967 | $16.81 |
| 16 | Tallahassee, FL | $32,143 | $15.45 |
A refrigeration mechanic's salary ranges from $33,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $66,000 at the 90th percentile.

| Percentile | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 90th Percentile | $66,000 | $5,500 | $32 |
| 75th Percentile | $56,000 | $4,667 | $27 |
| Average | $47,677 | $3,973 | $23 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,000 | $3,250 | $19 |
| 10th Percentile | $33,000 | $2,750 | $16 |
The highest paying types of refrigeration mechanics are ammonia refrigeration technician, refrigeration operator, and hvac mechanic.
| Job title | Annual salary | Monthly salary | Hourly rate | Job openings |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanic | $47,149 | $3,929 | $22.67 | 100,534 |
| Hvac Mechanic | $50,752 | $4,229 | $24.40 | 73,057 |
| Ammonia Refrigeration Technician | $56,255 | $4,688 | $27.05 | 119,272 |
| Refrigeration Technician | $50,701 | $4,225 | $24.38 | 131,115 |
Top companies hiring refrigeration mechanics now:
Refrigeration mechanic salaries at Cottage Health and US Foods are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average refrigeration mechanic salary at companies like PepsiCo and American Pacific Corporation are highly competitive.
| Rank | Company | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Cottage Health | $69,762 | $33.54 |
| 2 | US Foods | $65,385 | $31.44 |
| 3 | PepsiCo | $64,959 | $31.23 |
| 4 | American Pacific Corporation | $64,771 | $31.14 |
| 5 | The Coca-Cola Company | $64,506 | $31.01 |
| 6 | Merck | $64,052 | $30.79 |
| 7 | General Mills | $63,410 | $30.49 |
| 8 | Tyson Foods | $61,553 | $29.59 |
| 9 | LCMC Health | $61,222 | $29.43 |
| 10 | The Wild Center | $59,929 | $28.81 |
| 11 | Polk County | $58,265 | $28.01 |
| 12 | Cambridge Health Alliance | $57,781 | $27.78 |
| 13 | St. Jude Children's Research Hospital | $57,457 | $27.62 |
| 14 | County Of Los Angeles Public Library | $57,379 | $27.59 |
| 15 | HealthTrust | $57,172 | $27.49 |
| 16 | Conagra Brands | $56,779 | $27.30 |
| 17 | The Kraft Heinz Company | $56,043 | $26.94 |
| 18 | Vallarta Supermarkets | $55,895 | $26.87 |
| 19 | Harris Teeter | $55,877 | $26.86 |
| 20 | Dairy Farmers of America | $55,624 | $26.74 |
The average refrigeration mechanic salary varies across industries:
| Rank | Industry | Average salary | Hourly rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Manufacturing | $57,423 | $27.61 |
| 2 | Finance | $53,143 | $25.55 |
| 3 | Agriculture | $52,730 | $25.35 |
| 4 | Retail | $52,407 | $25.20 |
| 5 | Education | $44,790 | $21.53 |
| 6 | Government | $37,617 | $18.09 |
The average refrigeration mechanic salary has risen by $6,795 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average refrigeration mechanic earned $40,882 annually, but today, they earn $47,677 a year. That works out to a 10% change in pay for refrigeration mechanics over the last decade.
Compare refrigeration mechanic salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.
Compare refrigeration mechanic salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $47,700 | $22.92 | +3.7% |
| 2024 | $45,900 | $22.08 | +2.3% |
| 2023 | $44,900 | $21.57 | +1.1% |
| 2022 | $44,400 | $21.33 | +2.5% |
| 2021 | $43,300 | $20.80 | +1.7% |
| Company | Job | Location | Date added | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| State of Florida | Senior Refrigeration Mechanic | Tallahassee, FL | 06/29/2025 | $41,427 |
| Aerotek | Refrigerant Production | Elysburg, PA | 06/28/2025 | $29,218 |
| Smithfieldfoods | Refrigeration Mechanic | Smithfield, VA | 06/28/2025 | $45,914 |
| Harris Ranch Beef Co | Ammonia Refrigerator Mechanic | Selma, CA | 06/28/2025 | $56,349 |
| Commonwealth of Pennsylvania | Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor-SCI Laurel Highlands | Somerset, PA | 06/27/2025 | $51,868 |
| Orlando Economic Partnership | A/C Refrigeration Mechanic (Venues) | Orlando, FL | 06/27/2025 | $42,345 |
| University of Utah | Refrigeration & AC Mechanic | Salt Lake City, UT | 06/27/2025 | $56,349 |
| State of Pennsylvania | Corrections Refrigeration Mechanic Trade Instructor-SCI Laurel Highlands | Somerset, PA | 06/27/2025 | $51,868 |
| Mesa Public Schools | Refrigeration Mechanic J | Mesa, AZ | 06/24/2025 | $59,688 |
| The Blue Collar Recruiter | Commercial Refrigeration Mechanic II/III | West Babylon, NY | 06/22/2025 | $62,610 |
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