In an apparatus and a method for controlling a linear compressor, an apparatus for controlling a linear compressor includes a linear compressor adjusting a refrigerating capacity by a stroke voltage according to a stroke reference value, a current detecting unit detecting a current applied to the linear compressor, a work operation unit generating a work operation signal by integrating a current detected from the current detecting unit, a suction/discharge pressure difference storing unit storing a suction/discharge pressure difference according to the work operation signal, a microcomputer outputting a switching control signal according to the work operation signal and displaying the suction/discharge pressure difference according to the work operation signal, and an electric circuit unit controlling the linear compressor in accordance with the switching control signal. Accordingly it is possible to detect accurately a load of a linear compressor and control a linear compressor precisely by detecting a suction/discharge pressure difference according to a work operation signal obtained by integrating a current value according to a stroke reference value in accordance with a switching control signal of the microcomputer.