How to hire a refrigeration technician

How to hire a refrigeration technician, step by step

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

What does a refrigeration technician do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   The refrigeration technician hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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

   Yes

   No

   A refrigeration technician's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, refrigeration technicians 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 technicians and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Refrigeration Technician	Description	Hourly rate
   Refrigeration Technician	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.	$15-36
   Hvac Installer	An HVAC installer is responsible for working on office and house appliances, including heating systems, ventilation, and air conditioning units. HVAC installers follow and analyze the item's schematics and blueprints and conduct regular maintenance to ensure the efficiency of its systems... Show more	$14-31
   Maintenance Helper	A maintenance helper performs basic support tasks to assist maintenance technicians in installing and repairing machines and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include gathering and handing tools, changing fixtures such as light bulbs and faucets, preparing workspaces, and cleaning work areas and equipment... Show more	$11-19

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Preventative Maintenance
   • Hand Tools
   • Ladders
   • Refrigeration Equipment
   • Customer Satisfaction
   • OSHA
   • Customer Service
   • Plumbing
   • Industrial Maintenance
   • Hazmat
   • Ventilation
   • PSM
   • Freon
   • Boilers

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Assist with and, on occasion, manage installation and modification of building HVAC/R systems.
   • Operate, inspect, service, and maintain industrial ammonia refrigeration systems.
   • Repair and maintain residential heating and air conditioning systems, replacing compressors, condensers and evaporators.
   • Run PVC piping for drainage systems.
   • Install compressors, capacitors and contactors.
   • Clean strainers and pumpdown compressors for pms.

   More refrigeration technician duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the refrigeration technician job description is a good way to get more applicants. A refrigeration technician salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a refrigeration technician in Arkansas may be lower than in Delaware, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level refrigeration technician. Additionally, a refrigeration technician with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average refrigeration technician salary

   $50,701yearly

   $24.38 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level refrigeration technician salary

   $33,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 21, 2026

   Average refrigeration technician salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	Maryland	$73,018	$35
   2	Nevada	$69,869	$34
   3	Washington	$69,511	$33
   4	Massachusetts	$68,993	$33
   5	California	$63,624	$31
   6	Pennsylvania	$62,166	$30
   7	Indiana	$61,117	$29
   8	Oregon	$60,938	$29
   9	Minnesota	$60,256	$29
   10	Illinois	$57,992	$28
   11	Virginia	$56,433	$27
   12	Utah	$54,210	$26
   13	South Dakota	$53,174	$26
   14	North Carolina	$52,721	$25
   15	Colorado	$52,598	$25
   16	Iowa	$52,320	$25
   17	Nebraska	$51,293	$25
   18	Texas	$50,215	$24
   19	Oklahoma	$48,307	$23
   20	Missouri	$47,735	$23

   Average refrigeration technician salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Micron Technology	$82,493	$39.66	4
   2	Tenet Healthcare	$80,066	$38.49	71
   3	Waters	$70,943	$34.11	3
   4	General Electric	$67,365	$32.39	20
   5	Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution	$66,623	$32.03
   6	Fresh Express	$66,460	$31.95	15
   7	Pentair	$64,504	$31.01	2
   8	Delaware State Government	$63,657	$30.60	4
   9	GPAC	$63,299	$30.43
   10	Thermo King	$63,086	$30.33	7
   11	Schreiber Foods	$61,753	$29.69	13
   12	San Antonio Water System	$61,713	$29.67
   13	SPX	$61,507	$29.57	1
   14	CTI Foods	$61,305	$29.47	1
   15	Rosewood Hotels & Resorts	$61,256	$29.45
   16	Tyson Foods	$61,226	$29.44	50
   17	ITW	$61,099	$29.37	250
   18	Nation Pizza	$61,058	$29.35
   19	Rich Products	$60,413	$29.04	24
   20	Four Seasons	$60,124	$28.91	11

4. Writing a refrigeration technician job description

   A job description for a refrigeration technician 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 technician job description:

   Refrigeration technician job description example

   THE COMPANY: Since 1980, Stevens Transport has remained the primary choice of the Fortune 500 for delivery of perishable items and is the largest family-owned and operated climate-controlled freight company in Texas. Family is a top priority at Stevens and those values are integrated into everything we do, every day. Our award-winning service and reputation paired with state-of-the-art equipment has made us the pioneer of the industry.
   
   Stevens Transport Corporate offices as well as it's many departments and family of companies, reside on a massive 75-acre campus just East of Dallas. As a debt free, multimodal logistics conglomerate, Stevens Transport injects unmatched integrity into a corporate business model that reflects a track record of consistent growth and success. As “America's Trucking Family” and one of the nation's premier employers, we understand that our biggest “assets” are our people that support the continuous growth.
   
   If you are looking to continue with a rewarding career in Transportation & Logistics, come join the over 750 corporate family members with an exciting opportunity waiting for you!!
   
   THE ROLE: We are currently seeking a Refrigeration Trailer Technician are responsible for completing preventative maintenance, component replacement, and service to Thermo King refrigeration units.
   Schedule: Monday through Friday 6:00am-2:30pm
   QUALIFICATIONS:Ability to read and understand operating manuals, service manuals and written instruction Ability to clearly read, write and speak EnglishBasic math calculations Detail-oriented -- quality and precision-focused
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:Using OEM software and other diagnostic tools to address and resolve refrigeration unit concerns Removing, replacing, and testing for freon leaks All assembly work HVAC component replacement (condenser, motor, electric timing valve, expansion valve, condenser coil, wire harness, etc.) Maintaining open communication with our service management team regarding job/repair status updates and changes Additional duties and responsibilities as assigned
   REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:1+ years of experience with refrigeration repairs 608 type ii certification Working knowledge of telematics systems and diagnostic software. Basic computer skills required Valid Class C driver's license Must be able to pass a drug test and non-DOT physical Must have your own set of general tools
   HIGHLY BENEFICIAL QUALIFICATIONS:Ability to train other employees as necessary
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS INCLUDE:Maneuvering around, in, on, and under trucks/tight spaces to properly inspect and diagnose problems Standing, bending, squatting, kneeling, crawling, pushing, and pulling with a full range of body movements Using hands to handle, control or feel Climbing ladders, stairs and platforms Lifting and carrying up to 50 pounds
   If you love turning wrenching and are looking for a great culture come start a career with a industry leading organization, come make Stevens Transport's Paragon Leasing your new home.
   
   Medical, Vision, Dental, Supplemental, and Life Insurances available + 401(k) retirement plan and quarterly match.
   
   #LI-EH1 #ZR

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right refrigeration technician for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your refrigeration technician job on Zippia to find and recruit refrigeration technician 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 technicians, 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.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   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 technician

   Once you have selected a candidate for the refrigeration technician position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the agreement with a contract.

   It's also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new refrigeration technician. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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