As of February 01, 2026, the average annual salary for Refrigeration Engineer in California is $65,212, equivalent to $31 per hour, $1,254 weekly, or $5,434 monthly. These figures, sourced from Salary.com’s real-time job posting scans, highlight competitive earning potential for Refrigeration Engineer in cities like Santa Clara, San Jose, and Fremont.
Annually Salaries for Refrigeration Engineer in California vary widely, spanning from $51,108 to $74,008. Most professionals fall between the 25th percentile ($57,830) and 75th percentile ($69,816), while top earners (90th percentile) make $74,008 per year. This $11,986 pay gap underscores opportunities for salary growth through certifications, specialized skills like Troubleshooting or Project Commissioning, or targeting high-paying regions like District of Columbia or California.
Location and experience significantly influence earnings. For example, California Refrigeration Engineer often earn 10.3% higher than national averages due to demand from Fortune 42 companies. However, California currently ranks 2 nationwide for Refrigeration Engineer job salary. Professionals are advised to focus on high-growth sectors like to offset market challenges.