How to hire a refrigeration operator

How to hire a refrigeration operator, step by step

Here's a step-by-step refrigeration operator 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 operator job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new refrigeration operator
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your refrigeration operator job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a refrigeration operator for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A refrigeration operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, refrigeration operators 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.

   Here's a comparison of refrigeration operator salaries for various roles:

   Type of Refrigeration Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Refrigeration Operator	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.	$17-34
   Operator	Operators are skilled workers who are in charge of working on an industrial machine or a specific aspect of the manufacturing business. They are trained to operate machines, learning how to use them... Show more	$12-25
   Ammonia Refrigeration Technician	Ammonia refrigeration technicians are skilled workers who are responsible for maintaining a refrigeration system that uses ammonia installed in large industrial firms. These technicians must monitor the temperatures of these ammonia refrigeration units and conduct maintenance and repair work to ensure that all equipment is working safely and properly... Show more	$19-37

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Ammonia
   • Freon
   • PSM
   • HVAC
   • Condensers
   • OSHA
   • Plumbing
   • Evaporators
   • Refrigeration Equipment
   • Air Compressors
   • NH3
   • Blowers
   • Safety Devices
   • Industrial Refrigeration

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist with and, on occasion, manage installation and modification of building HVAC/R systems.
   • Repair pumps, PLC controllers, piping and plumbing.
   • Work on PLC controls, VFD drives.
   • Service roof top HVAC units.
   • Process management compliant with OSHA, EPA and DEC.
   • Use of computerize system to schedule repairs, track projects, and monitor and evaluate HVAC system.

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, refrigeration operators' average salary in arizona is 47% less than in connecticut.
   • Seniority. Entry-level refrigeration operators earn 49% less than senior-level refrigeration operators.
   • Certifications. A refrigeration operator 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 operator's salary.

   Average refrigeration operator salary

   $50,937yearly

   $24.49 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level refrigeration operator salary

   $36,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a refrigeration operator job description

   A good refrigeration operator job description should include a few things:

   • Summary of the role
   • List of responsibilities
   • Required skills and experience

   Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a refrigeration operator job description:

   Refrigeration operator job description example

   Perdue Foods is part of Perdue Farms, a family-owned company heading into it's second century of growth and innovation. With a goal of becoming the most trusted name in premium proteins, we create products for consumers and for retail and foodservice customers around the globe, while changing the way animals are raised for food.
   **Summary**
   
   Maintains, repairs, rebuilds and adjusts refrigeration, boiler and compressed air equipment in areas of responsibility by analyzing, calibrating, replacing, repairing or rebuilding all equipment and machinery within established guidelines. Must have all required personal tools and have the ability to learn to use and operate hand tools and industrial shop equipment. Must be able to work swing shifts.
   
   **Principal and Essential Duties & Responsibilities**
   
   Performs Process Safety Management (PSM) and system overview.
   
   Performs all safety programs such as Lockout/Tagout, hot work and confined space entry.
   
   Fills out PSM log and check sheets.
   
   Performs start-ups, shut-downs and defrost procedures in all plant refrigeration systems.
   
   Performs operational procedures, e.g., rounds, oil draining, oil adding, posting all logs, etc.
   
   Adjusts all machines to operate at established performance standards.
   
   Reads, interprets and understands manufacturers' equipment manuals, preventative maintenance (PM) sheets and safety policies and fills out and completes work sheets and machine check lists.
   
   Must wear personal protective equipment as position requires and perform job duties within established company OSHA safety procedures including Lockout/Tagout.
   
   **Minimum Education**
   
   High School or equivalent.
   
   **Experience Requirements**
   
   0 -2 years. Demonstrated mechanical aptitude. Experience in ammonia or Freon refrigeration, boiler operations and compressed air.
   
   **Experience Preferred**
   
   Reading and analytical skills preferred.
   
   **Environmental Factors and Physical Requirements**
   
   When in a plant environment: Exposure primarily consists of wet and moist floors which include metal and plastic grating surfaces. May be exposed to temperatures of 28 degrees to 100 degrees Fahrenheit with both ambient and 100% humidity. May handle product 25 degrees to 50 degrees Fahrenheit. May be exposed to noise ranges of 50 db to 110 db. May be exposed to dust, feathers and all chemicals used in poultry, food, processing facility. Must wear and use protective and safety equipment required for the job as directed by the Company. Occasional exposure to carbon dioxide vapors 10ppm and chlorine less than 20 ppm. Able to stand for several hours. Work may include lifting (up to 50 lbs), reaching, bending, pushing boxes on conveyor assembly.
   
   _Perdue Farms, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or protected veteran status._

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find refrigeration operators 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 operators they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level refrigeration operators 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 operator job on Zippia to find and recruit refrigeration operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit refrigeration operators, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 operator

   Once you've decided on a perfect refrigeration operator candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

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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