Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tender Salary in 2026
How Much Do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Make?
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders earn a median annual salary of $40,160 as of 2026, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data. Wages span from $33,710 at the 10th percentile to $62,760 at the 90th percentile — a range of $29,050. The highest-paying state is Illinois at $58,200.
| Percentile | Annual salary |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $33,710 |
| 25th percentile | $36,150 |
| Median (50th) | $40,160 |
| 75th percentile | $49,150 |
| 90th percentile | $62,760 |
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tender Salary by State
Median annual salary across all 50 states. Click a column to sort.
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Illinoistop | $58,200 |
| Michigan | $54,360 |
| Kansas | $51,640 |
| Florida | $50,960 |
| New Jersey | $50,790 |
| Iowa | $48,880 |
| Washington | $47,950 |
| Maryland | $47,940 |
| Missouri | $47,780 |
| Colorado | $47,440 |
| Nebraska | $46,810 |
| New York | $44,490 |
| South Dakota | $44,090 |
| Georgia | $43,720 |
| Minnesota | $43,520 |
| Indiana | $42,800 |
| Ohio | $42,470 |
| Nevada | $42,390 |
| Massachusetts | $41,560 |
| California | $40,590 |
| Connecticut | $40,290 |
| Kentucky | $39,550 |
| Oklahoma | $39,060 |
| Oregon | $38,770 |
| South Carolina | $38,740 |
| Virginia | $38,460 |
| Hawaii | $37,820 |
| North Carolina | $37,660 |
| Alabama | $37,220 |
| Tennessee | $37,160 |
| Mississippi | $37,030 |
| Arkansas | $36,380 |
| Pennsylvania | $35,460 |
| Texas | $34,970 |
Highest-Paying Metros for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tender Salary by Experience
Estimated salary ranges derived from BLS wage percentiles. Entry level corresponds to P10–P25, mid-career to the median, experienced to P75, and senior to P90+.
| Experience level | Estimated salary |
|---|---|
| Entry level (0–2 yrs) | ~$33,710 – $36,150 |
| Mid career (3–7 yrs) | ~$40,160 |
| Experienced (8–15 yrs) | ~$49,150 |
| Senior (15+ yrs) | $62,760+ |
How to Earn More as a Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tender
Location is the single biggest salary lever: Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in Michigan earn $54,360 — $14,200 above the national median. Union membership, additional certifications, and supervisory experience are the most reliable paths to higher earnings in this field. Reaching the 75th percentile ($49,150) typically requires 5–10 years of experience plus specialization in a high-demand area.
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Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tender Salary vs Similar Careers
| Career | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenderthis career | $40,160 |
| Industrial Machinery Mechanics | $63,760 |
| Food and Tobacco Roasting, Baking, and Drying Machine Operators and Tender | $42,730 |
| Food Batchmaker | $40,790 |
| Food Cooking Machine Operators and Tender | $40,550 |
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SOC: 51-9193.00 · Data: BLS OEWS 2026, O*NET 29.1 · Salary figures are national medians unless otherwise noted.