How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender make?
The median cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender in the United States earns $40,160 per year, about $19.31 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 51-9193.
Cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender salary range
Pay for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $33,710 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $62,760. The average (mean) wage of $44,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,710 | $16.21 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $36,150 | $17.38 | |
| Median (50th) | $40,160 | $19.31 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $49,150 | $23.63 | |
| 90th percentile | $62,760 | $30.17 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders (SOC 51-9193), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn the most in Illinois at $58,200 a year, and the least in Texas at $34,970. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Illinois | $58,200 | 60 |
| Michigan | $54,360 | 210 |
| Kansas | $51,640 | 140 |
| Florida | $50,960 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $50,790 | 50 |
| Iowa | $48,880 | 250 |
| Washington | $47,950 | 60 |
| Maryland | $47,940 | 80 |
| Missouri | $47,780 | 340 |
| Colorado | $47,440 | 60 |
| Nebraska | $46,810 | 70 |
| New York | $44,490 | 170 |
| South Dakota | $44,090 | 60 |
| Georgia | $43,720 | 460 |
| Minnesota | $43,520 | 40 |
| Indiana | $42,800 | 60 |
| Ohio | $42,470 | 200 |
| Nevada | $42,390 | 30 |
| Massachusetts | $41,560 | 40 |
| California | $40,590 | 550 |
| Connecticut | $40,290 | 90 |
| Kentucky | $39,550 | 70 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 | 130 |
| Oregon | $38,770 | 180 |
| South Carolina | $38,740 | 100 |
| Virginia | $38,460 | 140 |
| Hawaii | $37,820 | N/A |
| North Carolina | $37,660 | 390 |
| Alabama | $37,220 | 170 |
| Tennessee | $37,160 | 60 |
| Mississippi | $37,030 | 400 |
| Arkansas | $36,380 | 320 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,460 | N/A |
| Texas | $34,970 | 330 |
State median wages for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders (SOC 51-9193), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
The BLS projects employment of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders to grow 5.9% from 2025 to 2035. That is faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 7,700 jobs in 2025 moving toward 8,100 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 800 openings a year for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender
The typical entry-level education for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender earns
Industry, shift, certifications, and region drive pay, along with overtime. Skilled operators and workers in unionized plants sit near the top of the range.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Illinois, $58,200) and the lowest (Texas, $34,970) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 6,590 people work as cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in the United States. At $40,160 a year, the job pays below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender salary FAQ
How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender is $19.31. The middle half of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn between $17.38 and $23.63 per hour.
What is the highest cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn more than $62,760 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender make a year?
The median annual salary for a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender is $40,160. The average (mean) wage of $44,290 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender a well paid job?
At $40,160 a year, a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender earns below the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 6,590 people work as cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in the United States.
Which state pays cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders the most?
Illinois has the highest median salary for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders at $58,200 a year. Michigan ($54,360) and Kansas ($51,640) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender a good career?
Employment of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders is projected to grow 5.9% from 2025 to 2035, faster than the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 800 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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