Also called: Refrigerated Container Mechanic
Repairs the refrigerated shipping containers that carry fruit, meat, and medicine.
At a terminal, the reefer tech plugs in hundreds of refrigerated containers, checks temperatures, and fixes compressors so bananas from Ecuador arrive cold and fresh.
Approximate: anchored on Bureau of Labor Statistics data for a broader job group.
Certificate, about 1 year after high school. HVAC/refrigeration trade school or apprenticeship; EPA refrigerant certification.
Ways in: Trade school, Certification, On-the-job training. Training cost: Under $15k.
Majors to look at: HVAC-R Technology (trade school).
Growing much faster than average (about 8% over 10 years).
Low risk for 10 years. Remote monitoring flags failing units faster, but fixing compressors and controls is hands-on.
Classes: HVAC or electrical CTE class, Physics, Algebra.
Official data: O*NET occupation 49-9021.
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