Are you looking for a technical career that offers job security, interesting work, and lucrative financial rewards, without having to take on crushing college debt? Here’s why you should consider becoming a Refrigeration maintenance technician.
7 reasons to choose a career in Refrigeration maintenance
1. Refrigeration maintenance is an essential service
Many industries count on Refrigeration maintenance technicians to maintain their mission-critical systems, including food service, healthcare, and manufacturing. In fact, at the beginning of the pandemic when everything was tightly locked down in NYC, Refrigeration techs were quickly deemed essential workers and allowed to keep working.
There’s a good reason for that. When Refrigeration equipment breaks down, customers like supermarkets and restaurants are losing money and need help quickly. Not only is the clock ticking until their valuable inventory has to go in the garbage, but they risk losing customers. The situation for healthcare and pharmaceutical companies can be just as dire: expensive refrigerated medicines may be wasted very quickly.
Refrigeration customers can’t do without technicians for very long. That helps to make the job very secure. Also, unlike some other trade jobs, refrigeration work is in demand all year round. No matter what the weather or economic conditions are like, perishable food and materials need to stay chilled.
Learn more: Commercial Refrigeration Technician: Is It a Secure Job?
2. Highly technical expertise is required for refrigeration maintenance
Commercial refrigeration systems are complex and highly technical, and it takes a great deal of skill and expertise to maintain and repair them. It also involves working with refrigerant chemicals, which can be dangerous if you don’t know what you’re doing.
That’s why, unlike other trades, DIY is not an option when it comes to repairing Refrigeration systems. You need a trained and qualified expert. There’s no way someone who’s handy can watch a YouTube video and repair their own supermarket Refrigeration system.
That’s another job security factor for Refrigeration technicians.
3. There’s always a new challenge
Because commercial refrigeration systems are so varied and so complex, there’s always a new problem to solve. And, technology is evolving so quickly that there’s always something new to learn.
Refrigeration technicians will never get bored with their job! The technical challenge is a big reason why the job is so interesting. And, you’re not stuck sitting at a desk all day. Instead you get to visit a variety of customers each day and work on different types of equipment.
Learn more: Refrigeration Technician Jobs: What the Work is Like
4. Earn an excellent living
Refrigeration maintenance technicians make good money, especially as a union member. After only 4 years, they make more than $42 per hour. After about 7 years, they can easily earn $100,000 per year (and even more with overtime).
Consider this: you don’t need to go to college to get started working as a Refrigeration technician. If you choose the college route, after four years you could be just graduating with an entry-level job (if you’re lucky) AND burdened with paying off $200,000 or more in loans. OR, as a Refrigeration technician you could be debt-free and earning $42 per hour.
Learn more: HVAC & Refrigeration Technician Salary in NYC: How Does It Measure Up?
5. Get the best benefits as a union member
Healthcare benefits are extremely expensive these days. As an employee working for almost any private employer, you’ll have to pay hundreds of dollars (or more) every month for medical and dental insurance to cover you and your family. And, the less you pay for the premiums, the more you’ll pay in out-of-pocket expenses.
As a union Refrigeration technician, you get excellent benefits and coverage that’s fully paid for by your employer. That’s a huge benefit for your wallet and for your long-term health and well being.
6. Retire with a pension
As a young person just starting out, retiring is probably not on your radar. But it’s very smart to think ahead. As you approach your 60s, do you want to have the choice to stop working with a guaranteed retirement income? Or be stuck in your job because you can’t afford to stop working?
As a union Refrigeration technician, you earn a pension that offers a comfortable retirement at the relatively young age of 62.
7. Get free training and avoid college debt
As we mentioned earlier, you don’t have to be saddled with college debt to get started as a Refrigeration technician. People with the right skills and qualities can get hired for entry-level positions and get trained by their employer, without a college degree.
That means you can work and earn money while you learn the skills and gain the experience you need to become a qualified Refrigeration technician.
That said, employers may look for some assurance that you’re committed to this career before they hire you and spend time and money training you. It’s smart to learn what you can on your own. For example, you’ll gain a competitive advantage over other applicants if you have already earned your EPA 601 certification, which qualifies you to work with refrigerant chemicals.
Learn more: HVACR Technician Certification: EPA 608 Certification Explained
Do you have what it takes to become a Refrigeration maintenance technician?
If you’re wondering what skills you need to get hired as a Refrigeration maintenance technician, take a look at this article: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Jobs: What’s Required to Get Hired.
Next, take our assessment quiz to find out if you have what it takes!
HVACR Career Connect NY was created to promote the exceptional quality-of-life benefits of a career in HVAC and Refrigeration service, and also to provide a clear path for getting started in the profession. In doing so, we serve as a resource for employers in the New York City metro area to find and hire smart and capable new technicians. We also serve as an educational resource to support business growth and to help service technicians succeed in their chosen profession.
Learn about technical careers in the HVAC & Refrigeration industry, how to get hired and tips to build your career.