How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Oklahoma (2026)
Oklahoma employs about 5,650 refrigeration technicians earning a median $57,560 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Most refrigeration technicians train through a trade school program or a registered apprenticeship before entering the field in Oklahoma.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Oklahoma
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pontotoc Technology Center | 88.4 | Contact school for pricing | $54,779 | 82% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Oklahoma State University Institute of Technology | 69.4 | $5,774 - $17,256 | $65,328 | 42% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Tulsa Welding School-Tulsa | 40.5 | Contact school for pricing | $47,453 | 68% | — | 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.
Oklahoma employs approximately 5,650 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $57,560 1. The state’s concentration of refrigeration technician jobs is 1.25x 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 Oklahoma, 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 (Oklahoma): $57,560 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Oklahoma
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Oklahoma? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for refrigeration technicians in Oklahoma.
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 Oklahoma? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Oklahoma is $57,560 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,050 and experienced professionals can earn $79,660 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Oklahoma
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Oklahoma 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 Oklahoma that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
- Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor as part of a registered apprenticeship or employer program in Oklahoma.
- Earn your journey card or employer qualification. Complete the registered apprenticeship or approved program, earn the journey card or employer qualification used in Oklahoma, 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 Oklahoma
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years.
Contact Information:
- Office: Oklahoma CareerTech
- Address: 1500 West 7th Ave., Stillwater, OK 74074
- Phone: (405) 231-4338
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Oklahoma
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Oklahoma vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oklahoma City | 2,120 | $60,120 | $60,040 | $37,160 | $83,530 |
| Tulsa | 1,620 | $58,750 | $58,220 | $37,170 | $78,390 |
| Fort Smith | 410 | $48,160 | $49,780 | $36,020 | $64,450 |
| Lawton | 280 | $72,980 | $63,350 | $36,740 | $74,310 |
| Enid | 150 | $54,290 | $56,560 | $36,390 | $79,900 |
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 Oklahoma? Oklahoma currently employs approximately 5,650 refrigeration technicians 1. Nationally, refrigeration technician employment is projected to grow 8.1% from 2024 to 2034 2.
What training programs are available in Oklahoma? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Oklahoma.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Oklahoma compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Oklahoma is $57,560, which is $2,250 below 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
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) |