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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refrigeration Technician I in California is $62,590 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $30.
However, a Refrigeration Technician I's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Refrigeration Technician I Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $69,290 | $5,774 | $1,333 | $33 |
| Average | $62,590 | $5,216 | $1,204 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,290 | $4,691 | $1,083 | $27 |
Tanimura & Antle - Spreckels, CA
Wawona Frozen Foods - Clovis, CA
Major Refrigeration Co Inc - Dinuba, CA
MalaceHR - Los Angeles, CA
A Refrigeration 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.
Experience is a primary driver of a Refrigeration 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:
| Job Role | Years of Experience | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration Technician I | 0-1 years | $62,529 |
| Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II | 1-3 years | $64,607 |
| Refrigeration Maintenance Technician III | 3-5 years | $67,623 |
| Refrigeration Maintenance Technician IV | 5-7 years | $74,488 |
What Am I Worth?
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 Technician Is. For example, consider the average annual salaries in these key locations:
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:
Refrigeration Technician I salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $70,066. While startup companies pay approximate $59,274.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $59,274 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $62,689 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $67,661 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $70,066 |
For Refrigeration 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 Technician positions in Biotechnology or Transportation typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Refrigeration Technician I as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $75,108 | $36.0 | 20% |
Understanding how a Refrigeration 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.
| Annual Salary | Monthly Pay | Weekly Pay | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 75th Percentile | $69,290 | $5,774 | $1,333 | $33 |
| Average | $62,590 | $5,216 | $1,204 | $30 |
| 25th Percentile | $56,290 | $4,691 | $1,083 | $27 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Refrigeration 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.
| Next Step Role | Estimate Salary | Projected Raise |
|---|---|---|
| Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II | $64,700 | 3% |
| Mechanic Technician, Experienced | $65,100 | 4% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Refrigeration Technician I job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Collabera
Carson, CA
Collabera | Carson, CA
HVAC Mechanic. Location: Willmington, CA. Pay range: $25 to $30 an hour based on your experience. We are seeking a skilled and reliable mechanic to maintai... more
8 Days Ago
Kwick Cool
Baldwin Park, CA
Kwick Cool | Baldwin Park, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Looking for a refrigeration service tech with the minimum of 5 years experience in the restaurant industry must have exte... more
9 Days Ago
BRIAN DESPRES REFRIGERATION INC
San Diego, CA
BRIAN DESPRES REFRIGERATION INC | San Diego, CA
Job Description. Job Description. Job Summary. We are looking for a skilled and experienced Refrigeration. Technician. to join our team. In this role, you ... more
9 Days Ago
JLL
Newbury Park, CA
JLL | Newbury Park, CA
Refrigeration Technician - JLL. The Refrigeration Technician is responsible for installing, maintaining, troubleshooting, and repairing commercial and indu... more
9 Days Ago
Wawona Frozen Foods
Fresno, CA
Wawona Frozen Foods | Fresno, CA
Refrigeration Technician. WAWONA FROZEN FOODS. We pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated and treating our employees like family. Working at a c... more
10 Days Ago
IHG Mechanical
Los Angeles, CA
IHG Mechanical | Los Angeles, CA
Freon and Ammonia Refrigeration Technician. IHG Mechanical is seeking a skilled and experienced Freon and Ammonia Refrigeration Technician to join our grow... more
6 Days Ago
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