How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Ohio (2026)
Ohio employs about 14,150 refrigeration technicians earning a median $62,510 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Ohio
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ashland County-West Holmes Career Center | 64.8 | Contact school for pricing | $32,931 | 81% | — | In-state |
| 2 | Auburn Career Center | 59.7 | Contact school for pricing | $48,563 | 71% | — | In-state |
| 3 | Apollo Career Center | 51.2 | Contact school for pricing | $46,663 | 67% | — | In-state |
| 4 | Ashtabula County Technical and Career Campus | 47.4 | Contact school for pricing | $47,950 | 54% | — | 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.
Ohio employs approximately 14,150 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,510 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 Ohio, 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: Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance
- Median wage (Ohio): $62,510 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Ohio
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Ohio? Ohio requires credentials such as HVAC Certificate. The licensing authority is the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial 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 Ohio? Yes. Ohio has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in Ohio? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Ohio is $62,510 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,630 and experienced professionals can earn $98,310 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Ohio
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Ohio 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 Ohio 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 Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in Ohio.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in Ohio
The Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance oversees refrigeration technician licensing in Ohio 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC Certificate | Please refer to the licensing authority or the Ohio Career Information System (OCIS) at (800) 700-6247 for more information on license requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: Specific type of conviction prohibited
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Ohio
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Ohio’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Ohio Department of Job and Family Services - ApprenticeOhio
- Phone: (614) 466-6282
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Ohio
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Ohio vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbus | 3,000 | $64,440 | $68,730 | $40,680 | $100,590 |
| Cincinnati | 2,950 | $62,240 | $65,290 | $39,750 | $96,400 |
| Cleveland | 2,610 | $62,790 | $66,940 | $39,220 | $98,310 |
| Dayton-Kettering-Beavercreek | 1,090 | $62,500 | $65,880 | $38,630 | $96,620 |
| Akron | 850 | $61,090 | $64,000 | $38,240 | $96,690 |
| Toledo | 650 | $62,460 | $67,560 | $38,610 | $99,740 |
| Canton-Massillon | 420 | $58,910 | $60,310 | $37,110 | $91,920 |
| Youngstown-Warren | 370 | $61,260 | $64,370 | $36,590 | $95,570 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 360 | $48,860 | $52,080 | $35,780 | $73,400 |
| Lima | 160 | $60,950 | $60,410 | $39,210 | $77,530 |
| Mansfield | 130 | $59,010 | $61,670 | $36,280 | $92,850 |
| Sandusky | 120 | $61,040 | $62,590 | $38,700 | $94,400 |
| Wheeling | 100 | $56,240 | $56,630 | $36,510 | $77,850 |
| Springfield | 80 | $62,670 | $63,540 | $34,940 | $93,280 |
| Weirton-Steubenville | 80 | $57,000 | $56,590 | $32,200 | $77,210 |
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 Ohio? Ohio currently employs approximately 14,150 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 Ohio with an out-of-state license? Contact the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Ohio? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Ohio. You can also contact the Ohio Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Ohio compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Ohio is $62,510, which is $2,700 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Industrial Compliance - Licensing Information: https://www.com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/industrial-compliance ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Ohio Office of Apprenticeship: http://jfs.ohio.gov/apprenticeship/Apprenticeship-Opportunities.stm ↩︎
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) |