How long does refrigeration technician training take in Idaho?

The primary Idaho license typically requires about 5 years of documented experience. Confirm the current requirement with the licensing board.

What apprenticeships are available for refrigeration technicians in Idaho?

In Idaho, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Idaho (2026)

Q: How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Idaho?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), refrigeration technicians in Idaho earned a median annual wage of approximately $56,240. Employment concentration in Idaho is about 2.02 times the national average for this occupation.

Q: Do refrigeration technicians need a license in Idaho?

Yes. Idaho requires state-level licensing or registration for refrigeration technicians, administered by the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board. See the licensing section above for credential types and current requirements.

Q: What is the job outlook for refrigeration technicians in Idaho?

Idaho currently employs approximately 4,550 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 8.1% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Idaho heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers earn a median annual wage of $56,240 ($27.04/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 4,550 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately -7.8% below the national median of $61,010 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $56,240 ($27.04/hr)
25th percentile: $47,250 per year
75th percentile: $67,030 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $80,780 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $38,660 per year
Workers employed in Idaho: 4,550
Versus national median: -7.8% below the U.S. median of $61,010
Job concentration: Location quotient 2.02 - this occupation is more concentrated in Idaho than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed September 2, 2026.

Idaho employs about 4,550 refrigeration technicians earning a median $56,240 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board credentialing requirements.

Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Idaho

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	College of Southern Idaho	68.2	Contact school for pricing	$46,129	34%	Yes*	In-state
2	College of Eastern Idaho	66.6	Contact school for pricing	$55,123	37%	Yes*	In-state
3	North Idaho College	46.4	Contact school for pricing	$50,312	37%	Yes*	In-state

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Idaho employs approximately 4,550 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,240 ¹. The state’s concentration of refrigeration technician jobs is 2.02x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, refrigeration technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034, with about 40,100 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Refrigeration Technician in Idaho, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Licensing authority: Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board
Median wage (Idaho): $56,240 per year ¹
Exam requirement: State exam required

Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Idaho

How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Idaho? Idaho requires credentials such as HVAC Apprentice, HVAC Journeyman, HVAC Specialty Apprentice. The licensing authority is the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board ³. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.

How long does it take? Typical requirements include approximately 5 years of experience. Confirm with the licensing board ³.

Do I need a license in Idaho? Yes. Idaho has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board oversees licensing ³. See the licensing section below for details.

What do refrigeration technicians earn in Idaho? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Idaho is $56,240 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,660 and experienced professionals can earn $80,780 or more ¹.

How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Idaho

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Idaho training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Idaho that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Pass the state exam and apply for your license. Apply to the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in Idaho.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in Idaho

The Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board oversees refrigeration technician licensing in Idaho ³.

License Types

License	Requirements
HVAC Apprentice	Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in the State of Idaho.
HVAC Journeyman	Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in the State of Idaho.
HVAC Specialty Apprentice	Specialty Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) workers must be licensed in Idaho and are only allowed to work in their area of specialization.

Additional Requirements

Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
Exam: State exam required
Experience: Work experience required

License information sourced from CareerOneStop ⁴.

Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Idaho

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Idaho’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship ⁵.

Contact Information:

Office: Idaho Office of Apprenticeship
Address: 317 W. Main St., Boise, ID 97232
Phone: (208) 332-3570
Email: [email protected]

Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Idaho

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Idaho vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Boise City	2,270	$57,270	$61,000	$41,010	$80,540
Coeur d'Alene	570	$58,800	$61,780	$43,430	$81,890
Idaho Falls	390	$49,190	$58,360	$37,810	$80,720
Twin Falls	260	$51,080	$56,260	$37,590	$76,550
Logan	230	$55,420	$56,550	$38,290	$75,140
Pocatello	190	$50,940	$57,880	$37,200	$81,590
Lewiston	100	$49,880	$52,820	$37,470	$72,240

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for refrigeration technicians in Idaho? Idaho currently employs approximately 4,550 refrigeration technicians ¹. Nationally, refrigeration technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 ².

Can I work as a refrigeration technician in Idaho with an out-of-state license? Contact the Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.

What training programs are available in Idaho? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Idaho. You can also contact the Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Idaho compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Idaho is $56,240, which is $3,570 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data ¹.

In Idaho

Best Trade Schools in Idaho (2026)

Explore More Trades in Idaho

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Idaho Division of Building Safety - Idaho Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) Board - Licensing Information: http://dbs.idaho.gov/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Idaho Department of Labor - Registered Apprenticeship: https://labor.idaho.gov/dnn/Job-Seekers/On-the-Job-Training/Apprenticeships ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)