How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Missouri (2026)

Updated September 2, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Missouri employs about 7,220 refrigeration technicians earning a median $59,950 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most refrigeration technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Missouri.

Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Missouri

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.
#SchoolBOC Score (0–100)TuitionMedian grad earnings (all majors)Graduation rateOnlineDistance
159.8Contact school for pricing$53,02277%—In-state
252.4Contact school for pricing$40,78046%Yes*In-state
346.2Contact school for pricing$42,27243%Yes*In-state
440.7Contact school for pricing$39,96852%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.

Missouri employs approximately 7,220 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $59,950 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 Missouri, including 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
  • Median wage (Missouri): $59,950 per year 1

Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Missouri

How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Missouri? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for refrigeration technicians in Missouri.

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.

What do refrigeration technicians earn in Missouri? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Missouri is $59,950 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,180 and experienced professionals can earn $88,760 or more 1.

How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Missouri

  1. Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Missouri training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
  2. Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Missouri that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
  3. Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Missouri.
  4. Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Missouri, and confirm contractor versus worker rules with the state before working unsupervised.

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

Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Missouri

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Missouri’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Missouri Division of Workforce Development
  • Address: 3315 W. Truman Blvd., Jefferson City, MO 65102-0599
  • Email: [email protected]

Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Missouri

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

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

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)		Experienced
(90th pctile)
Kansas City3,010$62,680$64,870$45,620$88,760
St. Louis2,980$63,000$68,000$45,870$100,180
Springfield690$56,410$57,100$38,760$78,710
Columbia330$58,880$62,330$39,430$82,870
Joplin210$55,360$56,410$38,560$81,980
Jefferson City190$58,180$63,100$38,420$107,240
St. Joseph170$61,910$63,220$42,630$85,880
Cape Girardeau110$47,150$53,050$37,950$72,690

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 Missouri? Missouri currently employs approximately 7,220 refrigeration technicians 1. Nationally, refrigeration technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Missouri? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Missouri. You can also contact the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Missouri compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Missouri is $59,950, which is $140 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.

In Missouri

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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

  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education - On-the-Job Training & Apprenticeship: https://www.apprenticeship.gov/ ↩︎

Data sources

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

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / 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)