upper level job

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary in the United States

How much does a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I make in the United States?

As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I in the United States is $56,700 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $27.

However, a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $68,354
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $51,000 to $62,800
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $45,810
Compensation Planning
Develop a Job Description
Pay Equity
2026 Compensation Trend
AI Onboarding
Recruit with AI
View as table View as graph 25% $51,000 10% $45,810 90% $68,354 75% $62,800 $56,700 50%(Median) Didn’t find job title? Click

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salaries by Percentile

Annual
Salary
Monthly
Pay
Weekly
Pay
Hourly
Wage
75th Percentile $62,800 $5,233 $1,208 $30
Average $56,700 $4,725 $1,090 $27
25th Percentile $51,000 $4,250 $981 $25
Check out Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Job Openings in the United States
Maintenance Refrigeration Technician

Crucial Link Group - Columbus, OH

Refrigeration Technician

Lineage Logistics - Columbus, OH

Commercial Refrigeration Technician and Installer

Ohio Heating & Refrigeration - Columbus, OH

Commercial Refrigeration Technician and Installer

Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) - Columbus, OH

Search More Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Jobs in the United States

Key Factors That Influence Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salaries

A Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location, and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Refrigeration Maintenance Technician Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I (0-1 years): $56,690
  • Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II (1-3 years): $58,574
  • Refrigeration Maintenance Technician III (3-5 years): $61,308
  • Refrigeration Maintenance Technician IV (5-7 years): $67,532
Job Role Years of Experience Average Salary
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I0-1 years$56,690
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II1-3 years$58,574
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician III3-5 years$61,308
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician IV5-7 years$67,532
$56,690 Refrigera...
$58,574 Refrigera...
$61,308 Refrigera...
$67,532 Refrigera...
View as Table
View as Graph

What Am I Worth?

How Do Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salaries Vary from State to State?

Your salary can change significantly depending on where you work. States with a higher cost of living and strong industrial sectors often pay more to attract Refrigeration Maintenance Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:

  • District of Columbia: $62,800.
  • California: $62,600.
  • Massachusetts: $61,700.

Top Paying Cities for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician Is

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $71,600
  • San Francisco: $70,800
  • Oakland: $69,300

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary by Company Size: Startups vs. Enterprise

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $63,472. While startup companies pay approximate $53,696.

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary by Company Size

Company Size Employees Average Salary
Startup1~50$53,696
Growth Stage51~500$56,790
Established501~5000$61,294
Enterprise5000+$63,472

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary by Industry: Top Paying Sectors

For Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I roles, the industry you choose can affect earning potential by as much as 40% (the gap between the highest and lowest paying industries). Data shows that the Aerospace & Defense and Business Services sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Refrigeration Maintenance Technician positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.

The top paying industry for a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I

Industry Sector Average Annual Salary Average Hourly Rate Pay vs.Avg
Aerospace & Defense$68,040$33.020%

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on August 01, 2026

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary Growth & Career Path

Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I, you have the following paths for advancement. The table below compares the salary raises for common next-step roles. By comparing these figures, you can choose the career path that best meets your financial goals.

Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Salary Growth and Career Path
Next Step Role Estimate Salary Projected Raise
Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II $58,600 3%
Mechanic Technician, Experienced $59,000 4%

Most common benefits for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I

Social Security
401(k)
Disability
Healthcare
Pension
Time Off (days)
For Employers

If your compensation planning software is too rigid to deploy winning incentive strategies, it’s time to find an adaptable solution.

Compensation Planning

Common company salaries for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I

Here are companies hiring for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I and their salaries, click below for more details.

Find Your Next Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I Job

Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.

United States
  • Fazio Mechanical Services, Inc.

    Columbus, OH

    Fazio Mechanical Services, Inc. | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. HVAC/Refrigeration Service Technician. Job Summary. In this technician role, you will enjoy working independently as a re... more

    4 Days Ago

  • freije Engineered Solutions Company

    Columbus, OH

    freije Engineered Solutions Company | Columbus, OH

    Job Description. Job Description. Advance Your Career as a Commercial Refrigeration Technician – Join Our Ohio Team. Are you a skilled refrigeration techni... more

    5 Days Ago

  • Wasserstrom

    Columbus, OH

    Wasserstrom | Columbus, OH

    Founded in 1902, Wasserstrom is a national leader in the manufacturing and distribution of foodservice equipment and supplies. From design through installa... more

    6 Days Ago

  • NEX-Tech

    Columbus, OH

    NEX-Tech | Columbus, OH

    OverviewAre you ready to power up your career with a company that leads the industry and puts its people first. Welcome to Nextech- where talent, technolog... more

    6 Days Ago

  • Mr Ammonia Refrigeration

    Columbus, OH

    Mr Ammonia Refrigeration | Columbus, OH

    Advance Your Career in a High-Demand Trade - Become a Senior Refrigeration Field Service Technician with Mr. Ammonia Refrigeration Inc. Position Title: Sen... more

    6 Days Ago

  • CASTO

    Columbus, OH

    CASTO | Columbus, OH

    BASIC FUNCTION: The Maintenance Technician is primarily responsible for ensuring that the apartment community looks its very best at all times and operates... more

    2 Days Ago

For Employees

Get a Salary Increase

Analyze the market and your qualifications to negotiate your salary with confidence.

Search Job Openings

Search thousands of open positions to find your next opportunity.

For Employers

Adjust Employee Salary

Individualize employee pay based on unique job requirements and personal qualifications.

Price My Industry Jobs

Get the latest market price for benchmark jobs and jobs in your industry.

FAQ about Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I

1. What industry pays the highest salary for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I?

The Aerospace & Defense industry offers the highest average compensation for Refrigeration Maintenance Technician I roles, with salaries approximately 20% above the market median.

Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.

We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)

With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.

Are you an HR manager or compensation specialist?

Salary.com's CompAnalyst platform offers:

  • Detailed skills and competency reports for specific positions
  • Job and employee pricing reports
  • Compensation data tools, salary structures, surveys and benchmarks.
Learn about CompAnalyst