North Carolina Median
$39,030
per year
Hourly Rate
$18.76
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $41,330
State Rank
#26 of 34
420 employed here
How much do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders make in North Carolina?
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in North Carolina take home a median of $39,030 annually — roughly $18.76 an hour — which runs 6% below the national median of $41,330.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $35,420 while the top 10% make $56,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $37,270 and $41,450 a year.
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $35,420 | $17.03 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $37,270 | $17.92 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $39,030 | $18.76 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $41,450 | $19.93 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $56,380 | $27.11 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in other states
Nebraska $68,170Iowa $62,520Indiana $55,730Missouri $53,940New Jersey $51,460Washington $50,870Illinois $49,200Idaho $48,360Ohio $48,160Wisconsin $47,060Minnesota $46,910Massachusetts $46,800Georgia $46,770Colorado $46,160South Dakota $45,520Utah $45,500New York $45,460Florida $45,270California $42,100Connecticut $41,080Kentucky $40,840Oregon $40,030South Carolina $39,640Oklahoma $39,630Pennsylvania $39,360Mississippi $38,200Arkansas $38,090Hawaii $37,990Tennessee $37,780Texas $35,810Virginia $35,370Alabama $35,280Michigan $31,700
Working as Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($39,030) 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 North Carolina?
The median Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in North Carolina is $39,030 per year, or about $18.76 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $35,420 at the entry level to $56,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders about 6% less than the national median of $41,330. North Carolina ranks 26th out of 34 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $39,030 a year. About 420 Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary report
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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.