How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in West Virginia (2026)
West Virginia employs about 1,690 refrigeration technicians earning a median $48,850 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in West Virginia
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | James Rumsey Technical Institute | 74.9 | Contact school for pricing | $53,906 | Not reported | — | In-state |
| 2 | Ben Franklin Career Center | 71.8 | Contact school for pricing | $38,243 | Not reported | — | In-state |
| 3 | Cabell County Career Technology Center | 52.0 | Contact school for pricing | $50,961 | 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.
West Virginia employs approximately 1,690 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $48,850 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 West Virginia, 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: CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD
- Median wage (West Virginia): $48,850 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in West Virginia
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in West Virginia? West Virginia requires credentials such as HVAC. The licensing authority is the CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
How long does it take? The primary license lists approximately 2,000 hours of training or supervised practice. Confirm the current total with the state board 3.
Do I need a license in West Virginia? Yes. West Virginia has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in West Virginia? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in West Virginia is $48,850 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $36,160 and experienced professionals can earn $72,640 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in West Virginia
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most West Virginia 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 West Virginia 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 CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in West Virginia.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in West Virginia
The CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD oversees refrigeration technician licensing in West Virginia 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC | See the state licensing board for current requirements. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in West Virginia
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. West Virginia’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: West Virginia Community and Technical College System
- Address: 1018 Kanawha Blvd E., Charleston, WV 25301
- Phone: (304) 558-0265
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in West Virginia
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in West Virginia vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria | 8,730 | $71,920 | $73,740 | $46,920 | $105,180 |
| Huntington-Ashland | 360 | $48,860 | $52,080 | $35,780 | $73,400 |
| Charleston | 350 | $51,510 | $55,430 | $37,280 | $80,080 |
| Hagerstown-Martinsburg | 280 | $58,410 | $60,820 | $38,040 | $87,790 |
| Winchester | 200 | $56,250 | $54,920 | $39,050 | $72,540 |
| Morgantown | 170 | $47,970 | $49,190 | $35,510 | $63,330 |
| Beckley | 100 | $44,600 | $45,850 | $34,200 | $61,830 |
| Wheeling | 100 | $56,240 | $56,630 | $36,510 | $77,850 |
| Parkersburg-Vienna | 90 | $45,600 | $45,750 | $33,570 | $60,890 |
| 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 West Virginia? West Virginia currently employs approximately 1,690 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 West Virginia with an out-of-state license? Contact the CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in West Virginia? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in West Virginia. You can also contact the Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in West Virginia compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in West Virginia is $48,850, which is $10,960 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
CONTRACTOR LICENSING BOARD - Licensing Information: https://labor.wv.gov ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Workforce West Virginia - Apprenticeships: https://workforcewv.org/images/files/job-seekers/REGISTERED_STATEWIDE_APPRENTICESHIP_SPONSORS.pdf ↩︎
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) |