How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Rhode Island (2026)
Rhode Island employs about 1,450 refrigeration technicians earning a median $67,370 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Rhode Island
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New England Institute of Technology | 62.3 | $37,275 - $48,543 | $62,151 | 59% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | New England Tractor Trailer Training School of Rhode Island | 61.9 | Contact school for pricing | $61,966 | 77% | — | 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.
Rhode Island employs approximately 1,450 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $67,370 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 Rhode Island, 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: RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation
- Median wage (Rhode Island): $67,370 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Rhode Island
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Rhode Island? Rhode Island requires credentials such as Refrigeration Mechanic. The licensing authority is the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation 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 Rhode Island? Yes. Rhode Island has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in Rhode Island? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Rhode Island is $67,370 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $38,100 and experienced professionals can earn $104,080 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Rhode Island
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island 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 RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in Rhode Island.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in Rhode Island
The RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation oversees refrigeration technician licensing in Rhode Island 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| Refrigeration Mechanic | Lays out, fabricates, installs and maintains piping in refrigeration systems. Air conditioning mechanics do similar work but in air conditioning systems. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Rhode Island
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Rhode Island’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: Rhode Island Department of Labor and Training
- Address: 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920-0943
- Phone: (401) 462-8536
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Rhode Island
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Rhode Island vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence-Warwick | 1,930 | $67,380 | $70,900 | $44,970 | $104,080 |
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 Rhode Island? Rhode Island currently employs approximately 1,450 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 Rhode Island with an out-of-state license? Contact the RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Rhode Island? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Rhode Island. You can also contact the Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Rhode Island compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Rhode Island is $67,370, which is $7,560 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
RI Department of Labor and Training - Professional Regulation - Licensing Information: https://dlt.ri.gov/regulation-and-safety/professional-regulation ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Rhode Island Office of Apprenticeship: http://www.dlt.ri.gov/apprenticeship/ ↩︎
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) |