How much do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders make?
The median pay for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States is $41,330 per year — about $19.87 per hour. Entry-level positions start near $33,430, while the most experienced professionals in the top 10% earn $62,340.
That is $20,060 less than the median across all occupations in BLS data ($61,390).
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary range by percentile
Half of all Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders earn between $36,380 and $49,550 a year.
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,430 | $16.07 | |
| 25th percentile (early career) | $36,380 | $17.49 | |
| 50th percentile (median) | $41,330 | $19.87 | |
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $49,550 | $23.82 | |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,340 | $29.97 |
Highest-paying states for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Where you work matters more than almost anything else. Nebraska leads the country for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders pay at $68,170 a year, followed by Iowa ($62,520) and Indiana ($55,730). At the other end, Michigan posts the lowest median at $31,700 — a gap of $36,470 for the same job, driven by local demand, industry mix, and cost of living.
| # | State | Median salary | Hourly | vs national |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $68,170 | $32.77 | +65% |
| 2 | Iowa | $62,520 | $30.06 | +51% |
| 3 | Indiana | $55,730 | $26.79 | +35% |
| 4 | Missouri | $53,940 | $25.93 | +31% |
| 5 | New Jersey | $51,460 | $24.74 | +25% |
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in every state
Official BLS state-level figures across 34 states and territories. Click a state for the full local breakdown.
Workforce and education
About 7,000 people work as Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in the United States. The mean (average) wage is $44,940 — above the median, which means high earners pull the average up. On qualifications: a high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job, per O*NET occupation data.
Frequently asked questions
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