Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
California Median
$42,100
per year
Hourly Rate
$20.24
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+2% vs US median
US median $41,330
State Rank
#19 of 34
310 employed here

How much do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders working in California earn a median salary of $42,100 per year, or about $20.24 per hour. That is 2% above the national median of $41,330 for this occupation.

Within California, entry-level pay starts around $35,080 while the top 10% make $67,470 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $36,620 and $51,090 a year.

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in California

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$35,080$16.87
25th percentile (early career)$36,620$17.61
50th percentile (median)$42,100$20.24
75th percentile (experienced)$51,090$24.56
90th percentile (top earners)$67,470$32.44

How California compares

California ranks 19th out of 34 states and territories for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Nebraska$68,170
2Iowa$62,520
3Indiana$55,730
4Missouri$53,940
5New Jersey$51,460

Working as Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in California

Nationally, about 7,000 people work as Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.

Considering a move? Compare California pay ($42,100) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.

Frequently asked questions

How much do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders make in California?
The median Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in California is $42,100 per year, or about $20.24 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,080 at the entry level to $67,470 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders about 2% more than the national median of $41,330. California ranks 19th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $42,100 a year. About 310 Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary report

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.