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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.
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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.
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.
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:
How many years of work experience do I need?
Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Refrigeration Mechanic or Installer might also be interested in the following careers:
- Telecommunications Equipment Installers and Repairers, Except Line Installers
- Signal and Track Switch Repairers
- Gaming Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators
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.