Refrigeration Jobs in Maine

Becoming and working as a refrigeration in Maine

Refrigeration technicians install and service commercial refrigeration, walk-in coolers and freezers, ice machines and air-conditioning equipment that holds refrigerant.

License path

• Federal law requires technicians who service or dispose of equipment that could release refrigerants to be EPA Section 608 certified. Apprentices are exempt while closely and continually supervised by a certified technician.
• EPA has four Section 608 certification types: Type I for small appliances, Type II for high- or very high-pressure appliances (except small appliances and MVACs), Type III for low-pressure appliances, and Universal for all types.
• Maine has no separate HVAC license on the OPOR professions index. Heating work on oil, solid fuel, propane and natural gas equipment is licensed through the Maine Fuel Board, and refrigerant handling needs federal EPA Section 608 certification.

Pay across Maine

BLS (May 2025) counts 2,250 heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration mechanics and installers in Maine, with a median of $30.37 an hour and a range of $22.64 to $39.47 between the 10th and 90th percentiles. By region:

• Portland-South Portland area: $30.81/hr median, 920 jobs
• Lewiston-Auburn area: $32.30/hr median, 160 jobs
• Bangor area: $29.53/hr median, 210 jobs
• Northeast Maine nonmetropolitan area: $29.79/hr median, 280 jobs
• Southwest Maine nonmetropolitan area: $29.81/hr median, 570 jobs

Compare a specific offer with the free trade wage calculator, or read the guide to Maine’s licensed trades.

Sources: bls.gov · epa.gov · maine.gov