Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender Salary
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median $41,330 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders do
Operate or tend equipment such as cooling and freezing units, refrigerators, batch freezers, and freezing tunnels, to cool or freeze products, food, blood plasma, and chemicals.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- +5.9% (faster than average)
- Openings per year
- 800
- Self-employed
- 6%
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. About 800 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$2,780
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,562
- Medicare (1.45%)$599
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$35,389
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $33,430 | $16.07 | $29,041 |
| 25th percentile | $36,380 | $17.49 | $31,411 |
| Median (50th) | $41,330 | $19.87 | $35,389 |
| 75th percentile | $49,550 | $23.82 | $41,993 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,340 | $29.97 | $52,270 |
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operator and Tender salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebraska | $68,170 | +45.6% | $54,565 | $45,090 – $75,240 | 60 |
| Iowa | $62,520 | +27.9% | $50,691 | $41,720 – $82,790 | 290 |
| Indiana | $55,730 | +30.2% | $45,345 | $39,090 – $82,190 | 50 |
| Missouri | $53,940 | +12.9% | $43,923 | $41,430 – $62,220 | 200 |
| New Jersey | $51,460 | +1.3% | $42,233 | $38,170 – $75,610 | 100 |
| Washington | $50,870 | +6.1% | $43,054 | $47,770 – $53,950 | 60 |
| Illinois | $49,200 | −15.5% | $39,422 | $46,260 – $65,950 | 60 |
| Idaho | $48,360 | — | $39,582 | $43,420 – $72,800 | 90 |
| Ohio | $48,160 | +13.4% | $40,335 | $39,730 – $76,180 | 240 |
| Wisconsin | $47,060 | — | $38,703 | $45,450 – $57,990 | 100 |
| Minnesota | $46,910 | +7.8% | $38,181 | $39,420 – $68,080 | 100 |
| Massachusetts | $46,800 | +12.6% | $37,664 | $35,480 – $58,700 | — |
| Georgia | $46,770 | +7.0% | $37,955 | $37,690 – $59,100 | 540 |
| Colorado | $46,160 | −2.7% | $37,947 | $43,240 – $53,860 | 130 |
| South Dakota | $45,520 | +3.2% | $38,755 | $36,030 – $55,870 | 80 |
| Utah | $45,500 | — | $37,658 | $22,990 – $45,500 | 70 |
| New York | $45,460 | +2.2% | $36,849 | $36,140 – $69,180 | 160 |
| Florida | $45,270 | −11.2% | $38,554 | $38,470 – $51,570 | 130 |
| California | $42,100 | +3.7% | $34,787 | $35,080 – $67,470 | 310 |
| Connecticut | $41,080 | +2.0% | $34,264 | $36,300 – $48,510 | 70 |
| Kentucky | $40,840 | +3.3% | $33,683 | $38,470 – $46,980 | 70 |
| Oregon | $40,030 | +3.2% | $31,671 | $32,570 – $60,840 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $39,640 | +2.3% | $32,809 | $35,140 – $60,500 | 60 |
| Oklahoma | $39,630 | +1.5% | $32,785 | $34,740 – $64,690 | 130 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,360 | +11.0% | $32,597 | $33,430 – $54,330 | 760 |
| North Carolina | $39,030 | +3.6% | $32,492 | $35,420 – $56,380 | 420 |
| Mississippi | $38,200 | +3.2% | $32,078 | $23,760 – $39,940 | 360 |
| Arkansas | $38,090 | +4.7% | $31,513 | $34,990 – $52,320 | 270 |
| Hawaii | $37,990 | +0.4% | $31,271 | $35,700 – $48,890 | 110 |
| Tennessee | $37,780 | +1.7% | $32,536 | $29,210 – $46,490 | 50 |
| Texas | $35,810 | +2.4% | $30,953 | $25,230 – $62,920 | 510 |
| Virginia | $35,370 | −8.0% | $29,380 | $34,700 – $45,860 | 170 |
| Alabama | $35,280 | −5.2% | $29,028 | $22,820 – $38,860 | 280 |
| Michigan | $31,700 | −41.7% | $26,554 | $28,990 – $58,730 | 290 |
Related jobs
| Job | Median salary | Education | Growth 2025–35 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Production Workers, All Other | $40,110 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Etcher and Engraver | $43,310 | High school diploma or equivalent | -0.7% |
| Cleaning, Washing, and Metal Pickling Equipment Operators and Tenders | $43,530 | High school diploma or equivalent | +3.4% |
| Helpers--Production Worker | $39,070 | High school diploma or equivalent | -8.2% |
| Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic | $46,170 | High school diploma or equivalent | +5.8% |
| Adhesive Bonding Machine Operator and Tender | $46,460 | High school diploma or equivalent | +1.3% |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $50,270 | High school diploma or equivalent | -3.6% |
| Tire Builder | $57,390 | High school diploma or equivalent | +0.8% |
| Painting, Coating, and Decorating Workers | $41,600 | No formal educational credential | +1.3% |
| Photographic Process Worker and Processing Machine Operator | $40,610 | High school diploma or equivalent | -5.6% |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operator and tender make?
The national median salary for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders is $41,330 a year ($19.87 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $33,430 and the top 10% earn over $62,340. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders the most?
Nebraska has the highest median pay at $68,170.
How many cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 6,900 people work as cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders nationwide.