Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders (SOC 51-9193) earn a median $41,330 a year ($19.87 an hour) in the United States, with 6,900 employed as of May 2025; the highest-paying state is Nebraska.
What cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders do
Cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders run refrigeration and freezing units that chill or freeze food products, blood plasma, chemicals, and other materials. Equipment includes batch freezers, freezing tunnels, and refrigerators. The operator starts pumps, feeders, and conveyors and turns valves to admit refrigerants, product, or mixes. They read dials and gauges on control panels to check temperatures, alkalinity, and density of mixtures, and adjust controls to maintain feed rate, pressure, and temperature. Temperatures, amounts processed, and test results go on report forms. When a jam or breakdown occurs, they clear it and inform supervisors if needed, and they may assemble equipment and attach pipes, fittings, or valves with hand tools. Pressure gauges, ammeters, flowmeters, and thermometers are monitored as well.
Typical entry: According to O*NET, less than a high school diploma is the most common level of education reported by workers in this occupation.
Also called: Ammonia Refrigeration Worker, Batch Freezer, Batch Freezer Operator, Brewery Cellar Worker, Brewery Worker.
National wage percentiles, May 2025
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||
| United States | Hourly | $16.07 | $17.49 | $19.87 | $23.82 | $29.97 | $21.61 | 6,900 |
| Annual | $33,430 | $36,380 | $41,330 | $49,550 | $62,340 | $44,940 | ||
Employment per 1,000 jobs and the location quotient are area measures; they appear in the state and metro tables below. To see what a wage in this range leaves after tax, use FastCalc's take-home pay calculator.
Where cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn and work most
Five highest-paying states
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Nebraska | Hourly | $21.68 | $22.81 | $32.78 | $33.61 | $36.17 | $28.79 | 60 | 0.06 | 1.24 |
| Annual | $45,090 | $47,440 | $68,170 | $69,910 | $75,240 | $59,890 | ||||
| Iowa | Hourly | $20.06 | $20.44 | $30.06 | $39.80 | $39.80 | $30.65 | 290 | 0.19 | 4.26 |
| Annual | $41,720 | $42,510 | $62,520 | $82,790 | $82,790 | $63,740 | ||||
| Indiana | Hourly | $18.79 | $19.53 | $26.79 | $39.51 | $39.51 | $27.38 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.35 |
| Annual | $39,090 | $40,630 | $55,730 | $82,190 | $82,190 | $56,950 | ||||
| Missouri | Hourly | $19.92 | $19.92 | $25.94 | $28.60 | $29.92 | $24.51 | 200 | 0.07 | 1.50 |
| Annual | $41,430 | $41,430 | $53,940 | $59,490 | $62,220 | $50,980 | ||||
| New Jersey | Hourly | $18.35 | $22.26 | $24.74 | $28.65 | $36.35 | $26.60 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $38,170 | $46,300 | $51,460 | $59,580 | $75,610 | $55,330 | ||||
Five states with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Pennsylvania | Hourly | $16.07 | $17.35 | $18.92 | $23.50 | $26.12 | $20.31 | 760 | 0.13 | 2.81 |
| Annual | $33,430 | $36,090 | $39,360 | $48,880 | $54,330 | $42,250 | ||||
| Georgia | Hourly | $18.12 | $18.84 | $22.49 | $23.34 | $28.41 | $22.01 | 540 | 0.11 | 2.50 |
| Annual | $37,690 | $39,180 | $46,770 | $48,550 | $59,100 | $45,770 | ||||
| Texas | Hourly | $12.13 | $15.49 | $17.22 | $20.76 | $30.25 | $18.90 | 510 | 0.04 | 0.82 |
| Annual | $25,230 | $32,220 | $35,810 | $43,190 | $62,920 | $39,310 | ||||
| North Carolina | Hourly | $17.03 | $17.92 | $18.77 | $19.93 | $27.11 | $20.15 | 420 | 0.09 | 1.93 |
| Annual | $35,420 | $37,270 | $39,030 | $41,450 | $56,380 | $41,910 | ||||
| Mississippi | Hourly | $11.42 | $14.04 | $18.36 | $18.69 | $19.20 | $17.40 | 360 | 0.31 | 7.00 |
| Annual | $23,760 | $29,200 | $38,200 | $38,880 | $39,940 | $36,190 | ||||
Five highest-paying metropolitan areas
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | Hourly | $17.27 | $18.19 | $31.66 | $36.06 | $36.85 | $27.94 | 50 | 0.01 | 0.29 |
| Annual | $35,920 | $37,840 | $65,850 | $74,990 | $76,660 | $58,120 | ||||
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | Hourly | $22.24 | $23.87 | $31.41 | $39.51 | $39.51 | $31.90 | 40 | 0.01 | 0.18 |
| Annual | $46,260 | $49,640 | $65,320 | $82,190 | $82,190 | $66,350 | ||||
| St. Louis, MO-IL | Hourly | $22.76 | $26.18 | $26.18 | $26.93 | $28.76 | $26.33 | 30 | 0.02 | 0.53 |
| Annual | $47,340 | $54,450 | $54,450 | $56,010 | $59,810 | $54,760 | ||||
| Lancaster, PA | Hourly | $17.28 | $18.95 | $26.12 | $26.12 | $26.12 | $23.07 | 60 | 0.24 | 5.37 |
| Annual | $35,940 | $39,420 | $54,330 | $54,330 | $54,330 | $47,990 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $20.52 | $22.46 | $24.74 | $28.65 | $36.68 | $27.13 | 110 | 0.01 | 0.26 |
| Annual | $42,670 | $46,710 | $51,460 | $59,580 | $76,300 | $56,430 | ||||
Five metropolitan areas with the most jobs
| Area | Basis | Percentile wage | Mean | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th | ||||||
| Pittsburgh, PA | Hourly | $17.35 | $17.35 | $17.35 | $21.24 | $24.40 | $18.99 | 160 | 0.15 | 3.33 |
| Annual | $36,090 | $36,090 | $36,090 | $44,180 | $50,750 | $39,490 | ||||
| Gainesville, GA | Hourly | $22.52 | $22.67 | $22.67 | $23.77 | $28.41 | $23.57 | 140 | 1.34 | 30.09 |
| Annual | $46,840 | $47,160 | $47,160 | $49,450 | $59,100 | $49,020 | ||||
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | Hourly | $17.12 | $18.31 | $22.57 | $25.06 | $28.60 | $22.39 | 120 | 0.04 | 0.97 |
| Annual | $35,610 | $38,080 | $46,950 | $52,130 | $59,490 | $46,580 | ||||
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | Hourly | $20.52 | $22.46 | $24.74 | $28.65 | $36.68 | $27.13 | 110 | 0.01 | 0.26 |
| Annual | $42,670 | $46,710 | $51,460 | $59,580 | $76,300 | $56,430 | ||||
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | Hourly | $18.31 | $18.31 | $18.31 | $19.24 | $20.26 | $19.26 | 100 | 0.37 | 8.38 |
| Annual | $38,090 | $38,090 | $38,090 | $40,020 | $42,130 | $40,050 | ||||
Top industries employing cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
Animal Slaughtering and Processing employ 42.3% of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders nationally (2,920 jobs) at a median $39,250 a year ($18.87 an hour), followed by Dairy Product Manufacturing (15.2%) and Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing (9.7%).
| Industry | Employment | Share of occupation | Median annual | Median hourly |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing NAICS 311600 | 2,920 | 42.3% | $39,250 | $18.87 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing NAICS 311500 | 1,050 | 15.2% | $46,710 | $22.46 |
| Fruit and Vegetable Preserving and Specialty Food Manufacturing NAICS 311400 | 670 | 9.7% | $40,030 | $19.24 |
| Beverage Manufacturing NAICS 312100 | 470 | 6.8% | $43,880 | $21.10 |
| Other Food Manufacturing NAICS 311900 | 400 | 5.8% | $36,090 | $17.35 |
Share is the industry's employment over the occupation's national employment (6,900). Industries whose employment BLS withheld are not ranked.
Published medians, May 2021 to May 2025
BLS published a median annual wage of $40,390 for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in May 2021 and $41,330 in May 2025, with employment of 7,500 and 6,900.
| Release | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2021 | $40,390 | $19.42 | 7,500 |
| May 2022 | $42,890 | $20.62 | 6,420 |
| May 2023 | $42,420 | $20.40 | 6,500 |
| May 2024 | $40,160 | $19.31 | 6,590 |
| May 2025 | $41,330 | $19.87 | 6,900 |
BLS does not design OEWS as a time series: each release pools three years of samples, and occupational classifications, area definitions and estimation methods change between releases, so a difference between two releases is not a measure of change over time. The figures are shown as published, side by side, and nothing is computed from them. See how often OEWS is updated.
Every state, by median wage
34 states and DC publish a row for this occupation. A linked state has its own page with the within-state metro table and comparison; the others appear here only.
| Rank | State | Median hourly | Median annual | 10th pct (annual) | 90th pct (annual) | Employment | Jobs per 1,000 | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nebraska profile | $32.78 | $68,170 | $45,090 | $75,240 | 60 | 0.06 | 1.24 |
| 2 | Iowa profile | $30.06 | $62,520 | $41,720 | $82,790 | 290 | 0.19 | 4.26 |
| 3 | Indiana profile | $26.79 | $55,730 | $39,090 | $82,190 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.35 |
| 4 | Missouri profile | $25.94 | $53,940 | $41,430 | $62,220 | 200 | 0.07 | 1.50 |
| 5 | New Jersey profile | $24.74 | $51,460 | $38,170 | $75,610 | 100 | 0.02 | 0.53 |
| 6 | Washington profile | $24.46 | $50,870 | $47,770 | $53,950 | 60 | 0.02 | 0.39 |
| 7 | Illinois profile | $23.66 | $49,200 | $46,260 | $65,950 | 60 | 0.01 | 0.23 |
| 8 | Idaho profile | $23.25 | $48,360 | $43,420 | $72,800 | 90 | 0.11 | 2.42 |
| 9 | Ohio profile | $23.15 | $48,160 | $39,730 | $76,180 | 240 | 0.04 | 0.97 |
| 10 | Wisconsin profile | $22.62 | $47,060 | $45,450 | $57,990 | 100 | 0.03 | 0.76 |
| 11 | Minnesota profile | $22.56 | $46,910 | $39,420 | $68,080 | 100 | 0.04 | 0.79 |
| 12 | Massachusetts profile | $22.50 | $46,800 | $35,480 | $58,700 | ** | ** | ** |
| 13 | Georgia profile | $22.49 | $46,770 | $37,690 | $59,100 | 540 | 0.11 | 2.50 |
| 14 | Colorado profile | $22.19 | $46,160 | $43,240 | $53,860 | 130 | 0.04 | 0.99 |
| 15 | South Dakota profile | $21.89 | $45,520 | $36,030 | $55,870 | 80 | 0.18 | 4.09 |
| 16 | Utah profile | $21.88 | $45,500 | $22,990 | $45,500 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.95 |
| 17 | New York profile | $21.86 | $45,460 | $36,140 | $69,180 | 160 | 0.02 | 0.37 |
| 18 | Florida profile | $21.76 | $45,270 | $38,470 | $51,570 | 130 | 0.01 | 0.29 |
| 19 | California profile | $20.24 | $42,100 | $35,080 | $67,470 | 310 | 0.02 | 0.38 |
| 20 | Connecticut profile | $19.75 | $41,080 | $36,300 | $48,510 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.91 |
| 21 | Kentucky profile | $19.63 | $40,840 | $38,470 | $46,980 | 70 | 0.04 | 0.78 |
| 22 | Oregon profile | $19.24 | $40,030 | $32,570 | $60,840 | 120 | 0.06 | 1.36 |
| 23 | South Carolina profile | $19.06 | $39,640 | $35,140 | $60,500 | 60 | 0.03 | 0.62 |
| 24 | Oklahoma profile | $19.06 | $39,630 | $34,740 | $64,690 | 130 | 0.08 | 1.72 |
| 25 | Pennsylvania profile | $18.92 | $39,360 | $33,430 | $54,330 | 760 | 0.13 | 2.81 |
| 26 | North Carolina profile | $18.77 | $39,030 | $35,420 | $56,380 | 420 | 0.09 | 1.93 |
| 27 | Mississippi profile | $18.36 | $38,200 | $23,760 | $39,940 | 360 | 0.31 | 7.00 |
| 28 | Arkansas profile | $18.31 | $38,090 | $34,990 | $52,320 | 270 | 0.21 | 4.63 |
| 29 | Hawaii profile | $18.27 | $37,990 | $35,700 | $48,890 | 110 | 0.18 | 4.00 |
| 30 | Tennessee profile | $18.16 | $37,780 | $29,210 | $46,490 | 50 | 0.02 | 0.38 |
| 31 | Texas profile | $17.22 | $35,810 | $25,230 | $62,920 | 510 | 0.04 | 0.82 |
| 32 | Virginia profile | $17.01 | $35,370 | $34,700 | $45,860 | 170 | 0.04 | 0.92 |
| 33 | Alabama profile | $16.96 | $35,280 | $22,820 | $38,860 | 280 | 0.13 | 2.94 |
| 34 | Michigan profile | $15.24 | $31,700 | $28,990 | $58,730 | 290 | 0.07 | 1.47 |
Related occupations
Occupations in the same SOC broad group (51-9190), with their national median annual wage.
Part of Production Occupations. Compare any area in the wage explorer.
Source and notes
Data: BLS OEWS May 2025, released 2026-05-15. Cross-industry estimates, all ownerships. BLS page: OEWS 51-9193 Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders.
**- Employment estimate not available.
- Annual wages assume 2,080 hours a year at the hourly rate; occupations BLS publishes on one basis only show an en dash (–) on the other.
- Employment is rounded to the nearest 10 by BLS. Where BLS withholds a cell, nothing is estimated in its place.
- Top industries: nat4d_M2025_dl.xlsx in oesm25in4.zip (BLS OEWS May 2025, national, 4-digit NAICS, cross-ownership). Employment is the industry's rounded total for this occupation; industries whose employment BLS withheld (**) are not ranked.
- Published medians: national_M2021_dl.xlsx to national_M2024_dl.xlsx in oesm21nat.zip to oesm24nat.zip (BLS OEWS May 2021 to May 2024, national, cross-industry, all ownerships) and the May 2025 spine. Each release is shown as published; nothing is computed between them.
Sources
- BLS Standard Occupational Classification 2018, definition of 51-9193, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- O*NET 30.1 Database, 51-9193.00, National Center for O*NET Development, USDOL/ETA (CC BY 4.0).
- OEWS May 2025 national industry-specific estimates, 4-digit NAICS (oesm25in4.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2021 national estimates (oesm21nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2022 national estimates (oesm22nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2023 national estimates (oesm23nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2024 national estimates (oesm24nat.zip), US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
- OEWS May 2025 national estimates (oesm25nat.zip), the site's data spine, US Bureau of Labor Statistics (public domain).
Includes information from O*NET 30.1 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
Description written 2026-10-17 in our own words from the sources above.