Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary by State
The national median pay for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders is $41,330 a year. By state, it ranges from $31,700 in Michigan to $68,170 in Nebraska.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $33,430
- 25th percentile
- $36,380
- Median
- $41,330
- 75th percentile
- $49,550
- Top 10%
- $62,340
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 6,900 jobs.
Median pay in 34 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska | $68,170 | +65% | $45,090 | $75,240 | 60 |
| 2 | Iowa | $62,520 | +51% | $41,720 | $82,790 | 290 |
| 3 | Indiana | $55,730 | +35% | $39,090 | $82,190 | 50 |
| 4 | Missouri | $53,940 | +31% | $41,430 | $62,220 | 200 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $51,460 | +25% | $38,170 | $75,610 | 100 |
| 6 | Washington | $50,870 | +23% | $47,770 | $53,950 | 60 |
| 7 | Illinois | $49,200 | +19% | $46,260 | $65,950 | 60 |
| 8 | Idaho | $48,360 | +17% | $43,420 | $72,800 | 90 |
| 9 | Ohio | $48,160 | +17% | $39,730 | $76,180 | 240 |
| 10 | Wisconsin | $47,060 | +14% | $45,450 | $57,990 | 100 |
| 11 | Minnesota | $46,910 | +14% | $39,420 | $68,080 | 100 |
| 12 | Massachusetts | $46,800 | +13% | $35,480 | $58,700 | Not published |
| 13 | Georgia | $46,770 | +13% | $37,690 | $59,100 | 540 |
| 14 | Colorado | $46,160 | +12% | $43,240 | $53,860 | 130 |
| 15 | South Dakota | $45,520 | +10% | $36,030 | $55,870 | 80 |
| 16 | Utah | $45,500 | +10% | $22,990 | $45,500 | 70 |
| 17 | New York | $45,460 | +10% | $36,140 | $69,180 | 160 |
| 18 | Florida | $45,270 | +10% | $38,470 | $51,570 | 130 |
| 19 | California | $42,100 | +2% | $35,080 | $67,470 | 310 |
| 20 | Connecticut | $41,080 | −1% | $36,300 | $48,510 | 70 |
| 21 | Kentucky | $40,840 | −1% | $38,470 | $46,980 | 70 |
| 22 | Oregon | $40,030 | −3% | $32,570 | $60,840 | 120 |
| 23 | South Carolina | $39,640 | −4% | $35,140 | $60,500 | 60 |
| 24 | Oklahoma | $39,630 | −4% | $34,740 | $64,690 | 130 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania | $39,360 | −5% | $33,430 | $54,330 | 760 |
| 26 | North Carolina | $39,030 | −6% | $35,420 | $56,380 | 420 |
| 27 | Mississippi | $38,200 | −8% | $23,760 | $39,940 | 360 |
| 28 | Arkansas | $38,090 | −8% | $34,990 | $52,320 | 270 |
| 29 | Hawaii | $37,990 | −8% | $35,700 | $48,890 | 110 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $37,780 | −9% | $29,210 | $46,490 | 50 |
| 31 | Texas | $35,810 | −13% | $25,230 | $62,920 | 510 |
| 32 | Virginia | $35,370 | −14% | $34,700 | $45,860 | 170 |
| 33 | Alabama | $35,280 | −15% | $22,820 | $38,860 | 280 |
| 34 | Michigan | $31,700 | −23% | $28,990 | $58,730 | 290 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders the most?
Nebraska, with a median of $68,170 a year (+65% vs. the national median of $41,330). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders the least?
Michigan, with a median of $31,700 a year (−23% vs. national).
Where do most cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders work?
Pennsylvania has the most jobs, about 760, with a median of $39,360.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.