How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in New Jersey (2026)
New Jersey employs about 10,330 refrigeration technicians earning a median $74,450 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 Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in New Jersey
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Adult and Continuing Education-BCTS | 67.0 | Contact school for pricing | $47,365 | 81% | — | In-state |
| 2 | Mercer County Community College | 55.2 | Contact school for pricing | Not reported | 23% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Lincoln Technical Institute-Union | 52.1 | Contact school for pricing | $51,742 | 74% | — | In-state |
| 4 | Fortis Institute-Wayne | 43.6 | Contact school for pricing | $39,605 | Not reported | — | 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.
New Jersey employs approximately 10,330 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $74,450 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 New Jersey, 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 Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance
- Median wage (New Jersey): $74,450 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in New Jersey
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in New Jersey? New Jersey requires credentials such as REFRIGERATION ENGINEER, BLUE SEAL. The licensing authority is the Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance 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 New Jersey? Yes. New Jersey has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in New Jersey? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in New Jersey is $74,450 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $48,020 and experienced professionals can earn $116,550 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in New Jersey
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most New Jersey 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 New Jersey 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 Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in New Jersey.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in New Jersey
The Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance oversees refrigeration technician licensing in New Jersey 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| REFRIGERATION ENGINEER, BLUE SEAL |
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 New Jersey
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. New Jersey’s apprenticeship program is administered by the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Cape May County Technical Schools
- Address: 188 Crest Haven Road, Cape May Court House, NJ 08210
- Phone: (609) 380-0200
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in New Jersey
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in New Jersey vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City | 21,820 | $77,990 | $79,730 | $50,690 | $108,780 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington | 8,610 | $64,580 | $69,440 | $45,510 | $100,800 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton | 1,000 | $63,130 | $67,380 | $48,400 | $94,580 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton | 480 | $60,640 | $64,700 | $44,560 | $88,930 |
| Trenton-Princeton | 430 | $75,240 | $75,560 | $47,730 | $111,720 |
| Vineland | 290 | $68,250 | $74,100 | $45,510 | $119,190 |
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 New Jersey? New Jersey currently employs approximately 10,330 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 New Jersey with an out-of-state license? Contact the Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in New Jersey? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in New Jersey. You can also contact the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in New Jersey compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in New Jersey is $74,450, which is $14,640 above the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In New Jersey
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in New Jersey (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in New Jersey
- Best HVAC Schools in New Jersey (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in New Jersey
- Best Plumbing Schools in New Jersey (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in New Jersey
Explore More Trades in New Jersey
- Electrician in New Jersey
- Plumber in New Jersey
- HVAC Technician in New Jersey
- Welder in New Jersey
- Carpenter in New Jersey
- Solar Installation Technician in New Jersey
- Auto Mechanic in New Jersey
- CNC Machinist in New Jersey
- Certified Nursing Assistant in New Jersey
- Medical Assistant in New Jersey
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 Labor and Workforce Development - Office of Safety Compliance - Licensing Information: https://www.nj.gov/labor/lsse/laws/Laws_and_Regulations.html ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Registered 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.
| 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) |