How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Massachusetts (2026)
Massachusetts employs about 8,200 refrigeration technicians earning a median $77,300 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Massachusetts
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol Community College | 49.8 | $5,832 - $12,168 | $48,840 | 22% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology | 43.7 | Contact school for pricing | $57,093 | 46% | — | 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.
Massachusetts employs approximately 8,200 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $77,300 1. 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 Massachusetts, 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: Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $77,300 per year 1
- Exam requirement: No exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Massachusetts
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE, REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN. The licensing authority is the Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? Most paths into the refrigeration technician field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.
Do I need a license in Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Massachusetts is $77,300 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $50,820 and experienced professionals can earn $102,410 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Massachusetts
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Massachusetts 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 Massachusetts 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 Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in Massachusetts.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division oversees refrigeration technician licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| REFRIGERATION APPRENTICE | This license allows the holder to perform refrigeration work subject to inspection under any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation under the direct supervision of a journeyman or Refrigeration Co… |
| REFRIGERATION TECHNICIAN | This license allows the holder to perform refrigeration work subject to inspection under any law, ordinance, by-law, rule or regulation but does not employ other technicians or contractors. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: No exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Massachusetts
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Massachusetts’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Division of Apprentice Training, Department of Workforce Development
- Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
- Phone: (617) 626-5442
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 6,050 | $78,530 | $79,890 | $50,890 | $103,050 |
| Providence-Warwick | 1,930 | $67,380 | $70,900 | $44,970 | $104,080 |
| Worcester | 800 | $73,800 | $73,430 | $48,300 | $96,800 |
| Barnstable Town | 460 | $73,330 | $72,950 | $50,870 | $96,780 |
| Springfield | 460 | $76,530 | $74,840 | $47,940 | $98,870 |
| Pittsfield | 190 | $63,900 | $70,120 | $48,250 | $98,430 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 180 | $73,370 | $71,960 | $49,150 | $92,230 |
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 Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 8,200 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 Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Massachusetts. You can also contact the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Massachusetts is $77,300, which is $17,490 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.
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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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Department of Public Safety - Engineering Division - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/eopss/agencies/dps/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎
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) |