How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Wisconsin (2026)
Wisconsin employs about 6,630 refrigeration technicians earning a median $61,710 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). Training as a refrigeration technician here means working through a trade school or registered apprenticeship and meeting the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing credentialing requirements.
Compare Refrigeration Technician Schools in Wisconsin
| # | School | BOC Score (0–100) | Tuition | Median grad earnings (all majors) | Graduation rate | Online | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fox Valley Technical College | 67.6 | $5,040 - $16,862 | $55,857 | 63% | Yes* | In-state |
| 2 | Lakeshore Technical College | 63.9 | $4,844 - $14,599 | $50,985 | 46% | Yes* | In-state |
| 3 | Madison Area Technical College | 59.1 | Contact school for pricing | $55,207 | 28% | Yes* | In-state |
| 4 | Gateway Technical College | 56.0 | $4,956 - $16,242 | $54,142 | 49% | Yes* | In-state |
| 5 | Blackhawk Technical College | 45.1 | Contact school for pricing | $56,991 | 32% | — | 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.
Wisconsin employs approximately 6,630 refrigeration technicians according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $61,710 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 Wisconsin, 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: WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing
- Median wage (Wisconsin): $61,710 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Quick Answers About How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Wisconsin
How to become a Refrigeration Technician in Wisconsin? Wisconsin requires credentials such as HVAC QUALIFIER, DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - HVAC, UDC HVAC BUILDING INSPECTOR - ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMES. The licensing authority is the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing 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 Wisconsin? Yes. Wisconsin has licensing or registration requirements for refrigeration technicians. The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do refrigeration technicians earn in Wisconsin? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Wisconsin is $61,710 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,930 and experienced professionals can earn $98,070 or more 1.
How to Become a Refrigeration Technician in Wisconsin
- Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin 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 WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing, pass the required examination, and obtain the refrigeration technician credential before working unsupervised in Wisconsin.
Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.
Refrigeration Technician License Requirements in Wisconsin
The WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing oversees refrigeration technician licensing in Wisconsin 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| HVAC QUALIFIER | Reason for Credential: Pursuant to s. 101.178 (3), Stats., an individual may obtain in accordance with this section an HVAC qualifier certification from the department relative to the business of inst… |
| DESIGNER OF ENGINEERING SYSTEMS - HVAC | A designer of engineering systems is an individual engaged in the preparation of plans and specifications, consultation, investigation and evaluation in connection with the preparation of plans and sp… |
| UDC HVAC BUILDING INSPECTOR - ONE & TWO FAMILY HOMES | Reason for Credential: Pursuant s. 101.88 (2), Stats., no person may conduct the inspection of one- and two-family dwellings for the purpose of administering and enforcing ch. |
| REFRIGERANT RECOVERY OPERATOR | The regulations require that persons who recover regulated refrigerants from salvaged items must themselves hold the appropriate certification for the type of equipment being recovered, or be directly… |
| REFRIGERANT HANDLING TECHNICIAN | 2011 Wisconsin Act 146 Section 34 repealed Wis. Stat. § 101.177 effective May 4, 2012. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Refrigeration Technician Apprenticeship Information in Wisconsin
Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Wisconsin’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships 5.
Contact Information:
- Office: State of Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards
- Address: 201 E Washington Ave, Madison, WI 53707
- Phone: (608) 733-3930
- Email: [email protected]
Refrigeration Technician Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
Heating, Air Conditioning, and Refrigeration Mechanics and Installers Wages by Metro Area in Wisconsin
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers wages in Wisconsin vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington | 2,420 | $77,490 | $76,270 | $48,660 | $100,660 |
| Milwaukee-Waukesha | 1,620 | $62,930 | $70,230 | $46,350 | $99,740 |
| Madison | 1,020 | $63,150 | $69,250 | $45,450 | $100,900 |
| Green Bay | 420 | $61,340 | $66,590 | $44,840 | $101,290 |
| Appleton | 320 | $61,600 | $67,710 | $45,020 | $102,100 |
| La Crosse-Onalaska | 270 | $62,400 | $69,120 | $46,450 | $94,910 |
| Duluth | 170 | $75,710 | $73,510 | $48,740 | $98,970 |
| Racine-Mount Pleasant | 170 | $61,740 | $69,560 | $45,420 | $101,560 |
| Eau Claire | 150 | $61,280 | $66,890 | $45,520 | $95,690 |
| Janesville-Beloit | 150 | $59,770 | $61,540 | $40,670 | $91,280 |
| Wausau | 140 | $59,110 | $62,390 | $45,370 | $91,560 |
| Oshkosh-Neenah | 130 | $60,530 | $64,180 | $48,210 | $81,880 |
| Kenosha | 120 | $61,260 | $67,190 | $44,300 | $96,290 |
| Sheboygan | 120 | $61,580 | $66,160 | $46,630 | $95,210 |
| Fond du Lac | 100 | $59,510 | $60,050 | $39,880 | $82,420 |
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 Wisconsin? Wisconsin currently employs approximately 6,630 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 Wisconsin with an out-of-state license? Contact the WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
What training programs are available in Wisconsin? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Wisconsin. You can also contact the Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships for apprenticeship opportunities.
How much do refrigeration technicians earn in Wisconsin compared to the national average? The median annual wage for refrigeration technicians in Wisconsin is $61,710, which is $1,900 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/ ↩︎ ↩︎
WI Department of Safety and Professional Services - Division of Professional Credential Processing - Licensing Information: https://dsps.wi.gov/Pages/Professions/Default.aspx ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Wisconsin Bureau of Apprenticeship Standards - Registered Apprenticeships: https://dwd.wisconsin.gov/apprenticeship/appr_stats/active_wtt.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) |