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As of August 01, 2026, the average salary for a Refrigeration Technician III in California is $67,690 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $33.
However, a Refrigeration Technician III's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:
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Refrigeration Technician III Salaries by Percentile
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $72,190 | $6,016 | $1,388 | $35 |
| Average | $67,690 | $5,641 | $1,302 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,490 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
MalaceHR - Los Angeles, CA
Albertsons Company - Pleasanton, CA
Kwick Cool - Baldwin Park, CA
BRIAN DESPRES REFRIGERATION INC - San Diego, CA
A Refrigeration Technician III'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 III'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 Maintenance Technician I | 0-1 years | $62,529 |
| Refrigeration Maintenance Technician II | 1-3 years | $64,607 |
| Refrigeration 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 IIIs. 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 III salary potential scales significantly with company size. Data shows that Enterprise companies (5,000+ employees) pay the highest average salary at around $75,775. While startup companies pay approximate $64,104.
| Company Size | Employees | Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Startup | 1~50 | $64,104 |
| Growth Stage | 51~500 | $67,797 |
| Established | 501~5000 | $73,174 |
| Enterprise | 5000+ | $75,775 |
For Refrigeration Technician III 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 Pharmaceuticals sectors offer the strongest compensation, at 20% above the average. In contrast, Refrigeration Technician positions in Hospitality & Leisure or Telecom typically offer lower base pay, as these industries often view Refrigeration Technician III as a support function rather than a direct revenue driver.
| Industry Sector | Average Annual Salary | Average Hourly Rate | Pay vs.Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aerospace & Defense | $81,228 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Pharmaceuticals | $81,228 | $39.0 | 20% |
| Energy & Utilities | $77,844 | $37.0 | 15% |
| Chemicals | $74,459 | $36.0 | 10% |
| Insurance | $74,459 | $36.0 | 10% |
Understanding how a Refrigeration Technician III'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 | $72,190 | $6,016 | $1,388 | $35 |
| Average | $67,690 | $5,641 | $1,302 | $33 |
| 25th Percentile | $60,490 | $5,041 | $1,163 | $29 |
Promotions are the fastest way to increase your earnings. As a Refrigeration Technician III, 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 IV | $74,500 | 10% |
| Mechanic Technician, Lead | $83,500 | 23% |
Ready to take the next step in your career? Browse thousands of current Refrigeration Technician III job openings on our job board. Use the search bar below to find your perfect match.
Safeway
Pleasanton, CA
Safeway | Pleasanton, CA
Safeway - JobID: 750946 [Refrigeration Technician / AC Technician] As a Refrigeration Technician at Safeway, you'll: Maintain all refrigeration, HVAC, EMS ... more
3 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
3 Days Ago
Albertsons Company
Sacramento, CA
Albertsons Company | Sacramento, CA
Safeway Refrigeration Technician. Join Safeway's growing in-house maintenance team and build a career where your skills are valued, your judgment is truste... more
3 Days Ago
Tanimura & Antle
Spreckels, CA
Tanimura & Antle | Spreckels, CA
Refrigeration Technician. The Refrigeration Technician works closely with the Senior Refrigeration Manager to maintain all aspects of our refrigeration and... more
4 Days Ago
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
Fontana, CA
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling | Fontana, CA
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. Join the leading beverage provider, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling. Shift: Full Time, Monday-Friday, 6AM-230PM, Overtime as needed. Ben... more
5 Days Ago
Wawona Frozen Foods
Clovis, CA
Wawona Frozen Foods | Clovis, CA
WAWONA FROZEN FOODSABOUT THIS COMPANYWe pride ourselves on being family-owned and operated and treating our employees like family. Working at a company whe... more
6 Days Ago
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