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Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

What You Need to Know About Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

Example of Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer Job Install and repair industrial and commercial refrigerating systems.

What Do Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Do On a Daily Basis?

  • Cut, bend, thread, and connect pipe to functional components and water, power, or refrigeration system.
  • Mount compressor, condenser, and other components in specified locations on frames, using hand tools and acetylene welding equipment.
  • Supervise and instruct assistants.
  • Adjust or replace worn or defective mechanisms and parts and reassemble repaired systems.
  • Braze or solder parts to repair defective joints and leaks.
  • Read blueprints to determine location, size, capacity, and type of components needed to build refrigeration system.

Qualities of a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

When polled, Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers say the following skills are most frequently used in their jobs:

Repairing: Repairing machines or systems using the needed tools.

Troubleshooting: Determining causes of operating errors and deciding what to do about it.

Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

Equipment Maintenance: Performing routine maintenance on equipment and determining when and what kind of maintenance is needed.

Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.

Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

Types of Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

  • Heating, Ventilation, Air Conditioning Service Technician (HVAC Service Technician)
  • VRT Mechanic (Variable Retention Time Mechanic)
  • HVAC/R Service Technician (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning/Refrigeration Service Technician)
  • HVAC Mechanic (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Mechanic)
  • Bulk Coolers Installer

Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer Job Outlook

In the United States, there were 332,900 jobs for Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 14.7% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 48,800 new jobs for Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer by 2026. There will be an estimated 38,700 positions for Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer per year.

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The states with the most job growth for Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer are Utah, Arizona, and Colorado. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, Vermont, or Alaska. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.

Salary for a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

The typical yearly salary for Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers is somewhere between $29,460 and $76,230.

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Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers who work in District of Columbia, Alaska, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.

Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers in different U.S. states.

State Annual Mean Salary
Alabama $41,020
Alaska $66,290
Arizona $46,040
Arkansas $40,270
California $58,130
Colorado $53,460
Connecticut $64,180
Delaware $51,360
District of Columbia $69,610
Florida $42,630
Georgia $41,940
Hawaii $61,670
Idaho $42,640
Illinois $59,590
Indiana $47,770
Iowa $51,330
Kansas $51,250
Kentucky $42,150
Louisiana $43,640
Maine $50,280
Maryland $58,900
Massachusetts $59,890
Michigan $49,030
Minnesota $52,920
Mississippi $40,890
Missouri $47,710
Montana $48,740
Nebraska $48,580
Nevada $51,590
New Hampshire $51,320
New Jersey $59,630
New Mexico $46,200
New York $59,780
North Carolina $43,190
North Dakota $56,120
Ohio $47,640
Oklahoma $43,810
Oregon $49,940
Pennsylvania $51,870
Rhode Island $52,270
South Carolina $45,240
South Dakota $46,600
Tennessee $43,720
Texas $46,070
Utah $47,950
Vermont $49,980
Virginia $50,210
Washington $58,290
West Virginia $41,110
Wisconsin $52,020
Wyoming $47,320

What Tools & Technology do Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Use?

Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers:

  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Word
  • Microsoft Office
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • SAP
  • Database software
  • Building automation software
  • Facility energy management software
  • Johnson Controls Metasys

Becoming a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer

Education needed to be a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer:

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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Other Jobs You May be Interested In

Those thinking about becoming a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer might also be interested in the following careers:

Those who work as a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer sometimes switch careers to one of these choices:

References:

Image Credit: Airman 1st Class Andrew Moua via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

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