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

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$40,840
per year
Hourly Rate
$19.63
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-1% vs US median
US median $41,330
State Rank
#21 of 34
70 employed here

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

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $40,840 per year, or about $19.63 per hour. That is 1% below the national median of $41,330 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $38,470 while the top 10% make $46,980 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $39,400 and $40,840 a year.

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,470$18.50
25th percentile (early career)$39,400$18.94
50th percentile (median)$40,840$19.63
75th percentile (experienced)$40,840$19.63
90th percentile (top earners)$46,980$22.59

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 21st 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($40,840) 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 Kentucky?
The median Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky is $40,840 per year, or about $19.63 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,470 at the entry level to $46,980 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders about 1% less than the national median of $41,330. Kentucky ranks 21st out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $40,840 a year. About 70 Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in Kentucky. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.