How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in South Carolina (2026)
South Carolina employs about 6,920 refrigeration technicians earning a median $56,610 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the SC Residential Builders Commission credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in South Carolina
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aiken Technical College | 48.4 | Contact school for pricing | $54,588 | 26% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Technical College of the Lowcountry | 27.4 | Contact school for pricing | $47,361 | 15% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Denmark Technical College | 16.3 | Contact school for pricing | $28,350 | 13% | — | 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.
South Carolina employs approximately 6,920 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $56,610 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 South Carolina, 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: SC Residential Builders Commission
- Median wage (South Carolina): $56,610 per year 1
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in South Carolina
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in South Carolina? South Carolina requires credentials such as HVAC Heating and Air. The licensing authority is the SC Residential Builders Commission 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 South Carolina? Yes. South Carolina has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The SC Residential Builders Commission oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in South Carolina? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in South Carolina is $56,610 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $39,170 and experienced professionals can earn $75,530 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in South Carolina
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most South Carolina 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 South Carolina 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 SC Residential Builders Commission, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in South Carolina.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in South Carolina
The SC Residential Builders Commission oversees refrigeration technician licensing in South Carolina 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC Heating and Air | Contact licensing agency for more information. |
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in South Carolina
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. South Carolina’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Apprenticeship South Carolina 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: SC Technical College System - Apprenticeship Carolina
- Address: 111 Executive Center Drive, Columbia, SC 29201-2496
- Phone: (803) 765-5548
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in South Carolina
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in South Carolina vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia | 3,860 | $59,840 | $59,940 | $40,110 | $79,210 |
| Charleston-North Charleston | 1,270 | $58,410 | $58,470 | $40,280 | $77,060 |
| Columbia | 1,220 | $57,610 | $56,410 | $39,460 | $73,830 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer | 1,160 | $58,760 | $57,440 | $38,520 | $77,520 |
| Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach | 630 | $54,230 | $54,510 | $39,330 | $72,930 |
| Augusta-Richmond County | 620 | $48,900 | $51,910 | $36,240 | $72,850 |
| Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal | 420 | $58,280 | $57,380 | $39,090 | $74,620 |
| Spartanburg | 390 | $57,790 | $57,970 | $40,670 | $76,920 |
| Florence | 180 | $58,790 | $58,340 | $36,670 | $81,420 |
| Sumter | 110 | $49,880 | $53,350 | $36,190 | $73,990 |
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 South Carolina? South Carolina currently employs approximately 6,920 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 South Carolina with an out-of-state license? Contact the SC Residential Builders Commission for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in South Carolina? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in South Carolina. You can also contact the Apprenticeship South Carolina for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in South Carolina compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in South Carolina is $56,610, which is $3,200 below the national median of $59,810 according to BLS data 1.
Related guides
In South Carolina
Related trades & nearby areas
- Best Carpenter Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Electrician Schools in South Carolina
- Best HVAC Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Plumber Schools in South Carolina
- Best Plumbing Schools in South Carolina (2026)
- Best Welder Schools in South Carolina
Explore More Trades in South Carolina
- Electrician in South Carolina
- Plumber in South Carolina
- HVAC Technician in South Carolina
- Welder in South Carolina
- Carpenter in South Carolina
- Solar Installation Technician in South Carolina
- Auto Mechanic in South Carolina
- CNC Machinist in South Carolina
- Certified Nursing Assistant in South Carolina
- Medical Assistant in South Carolina
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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
SC Residential Builders Commission - Licensing Information: http://www.llr.state.sc.us/POL/ResidentialBuilders/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Apprenticeship South Carolina: 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) |