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San Diego, California Refrigeration Jobs

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San Diego, California

Refrigeration Technician Jobs in San Diego

San Diego's refrigeration work splits between seafood processing on the waterfront and produce distribution in the Otay Mesa and Kearny Mesa industrial corridors. Cross-border logistics through the Tijuana ports adds cold-storage volume you won't find in most California metros.

California's statewide average for techs, mechanics, and engineers runs about $76,000, above the national middle. The state also requires a C-38 refrigeration contractor license for commercial and industrial work, on top of federal EPA 608; the state license requirements guide covers what the C-38 involves.

Who's hiring

Top San Diego Employers

Pacific Seafood Seafood

Waterfront seafood processing with blast freezing and cold-storage refrigeration.

Lineage Logistics Cold Storage

Temperature-controlled warehousing; expect industrial rack and ammonia work.

US Foods Distribution

Broadline distributor running refrigerated DCs on steady maintenance and repair.

Sysco Distribution

Large foodservice distribution with refrigerated warehousing and delivery fleets.

The same processors and distributors pull techs from Chula Vista, El Cajon, Escondido, National City, and the cross-border logistics zone near Tijuana.

Common questions

San Diego Refrigeration FAQ

How much do refrigeration techs make in San Diego?

California's statewide average for techs, mechanics, and engineers is around $76,000, above the national middle, and San Diego's seafood-processing and cross-border cold-storage demand keeps skilled roles competitive.

Do I need a license to work in California?

Beyond federal EPA 608, California requires a C-38 refrigeration contractor license for commercial and industrial work, making it one of the stricter states; see the state license guide for specifics.

What kind of refrigeration work is most common in San Diego?

Seafood processing and blast freezing on the waterfront plus produce and foodservice cold storage in Otay Mesa and Kearny Mesa, so the work leans industrial and plant-based over grocery service routes.

Keep looking

Nearby & Related

California Jobs All statewide openings Los Angeles, CA Nearby metro Inland Empire, CA Logistics corridor Arizona Jobs Neighboring state Highest-Paying Jobs 2026 Salary rankings Cold Storage Employers Companies hiring now EPA 608 Guide Federal certification How to Get Started Break into the trade