A state comparison for commercial refrigeration should start with the workplaces, service territories, credentials, and schedules you would actually accept. Statewide wage data is useful context, not a job offer.
Compare the work, not just the state
California
Compare supermarket service, food distribution, and agricultural cold storage postings. Check metro location, drive time, refrigerant, and the credential required for the exact role.
Texas
Distinguish contractor service territories from plant maintenance. Ask whether the work covers grocery racks, food processing, or temperature-control equipment, and confirm travel and registration rules.
Florida
Grocery, hospitality, and food-service equipment can lead to different service schedules. Check callout rotation, weather exposure, and which systems the job actually covers.
Wisconsin
Food and dairy facilities can use industrial refrigeration, while contractors service stores and warehouses. Compare plant shifts with field dispatch and ammonia training.
Washington
Food storage and retail systems may involve coastal and inland territories. Check travel, employer safety training, and the license or trainee status a posting requires.
Statewide wage context
The five examples above are workplace comparisons, not a ranking. The BLS figures below cover SOC 49-9021 statewide and include heating and air-conditioning workers. Employment estimates count workers, not current openings.
On a phone, swipe the table to see the range, worker estimate, and source.
| State | Median/hour | 25th–75th/hour | Estimated workers | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | $34.88 | $28.02–$43.65 | 35,130 | BLS source |
| Texas | $27.77 | $22.50–$33.59 | 34,730 | BLS source |
| Florida | $27.24 | $22.51–$30.59 | 39,160 | BLS source |
| Wisconsin | $29.67 | $24.44–$38.03 | 6,630 | BLS source |
| Washington | $36.38 | $28.93–$45.18 | 7,370 | BLS source |
Before relocating
- Compare the actual job’s base rate, hours, vehicle, travel, and on-call terms.
- Check housing costs and whether the work is at one site or across a service territory.
- Verify state and local credentials for the specific equipment and employer.