Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders

SOC code 51-9193 · O*NET-SOC 51-9193.00 · Little to some preparation needed · Manufacturing and production

Bright Outlook — O*NET expects rapid growth for this occupation

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders pay

U.S. national figures, May 2025 BLS survey · How we got this number

Median pay

$41,330

a year

Hourly

$19.87

per hour

10th$33,430Median$41,33090th$62,340

The solid band is the middle 50% of workers; the bar spans the 10th to 90th percentile.

Average pay

$44,940

$21.61 per hour

Middle 50%

$36,380 – $49,550

25th to 75th percentile

Full spread

$33,430 – $62,340

10th to 90th percentile

People employed

6,900

nationwide

National U.S. figure, May 2025. Local pay can be higher or lower.

10th percentile: $33,430; $16.07/hr
25th percentile: $36,380; $17.49/hr
Median percentile: $41,330; $19.87/hr
75th percentile: $49,550; $23.82/hr
90th percentile: $62,340; $29.97/hr

What do 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.

The tasks that matter most day to day

Record temperatures, amounts of materials processed, or test results on report forms.
Monitor pressure gauges, ammeters, flowmeters, thermometers, or products, and adjust controls to maintain specified conditions, such as feed rate, product consistency, temperature, air pressure, and machine speed.
Read dials and gauges on panel control boards to ascertain temperatures, alkalinities, and densities of mixtures, and turn valves to obtain specified mixtures.
Measure or weigh specified amounts of ingredients or materials, and load them into tanks, vats, hoppers, or other equipment.
Adjust machine or freezer speed and air intake to obtain desired consistency and amount of product.
Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes.
Weigh packages and adjust freezer air valves or switches on filler heads to obtain specified amounts of product in each container.
Correct machinery malfunctions by performing actions such as removing jams, and inform supervisors of malfunctions as necessary.

How to qualify for this work

Most people in this role hold less than a high school diploma — 51% of workers surveyed reported it as their level of education.

Preparation level: zone 2 — Little to some preparation needed

Education: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Training: Ranges from a few days to one year of on-the-job training.

See all zone 2 occupations →

Education reported by people doing this job

Less than a High School Diploma51%
Post-Secondary Certificate41%
High School Diploma or the equivalent (such as a GED)7%
Some College Courses0%

Common questions

How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn?

The national median is $41,330 a year. The full range runs from $33,430 at the 10th percentile to $62,340 at the 90th — entry pay sits closer to the lower figure, and experience, licensing and specialisation move you up the range.

Can you become a cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders without a degree?

Yes — this occupation sits in preparation zone 2, meaning the typical entry route is usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not. A four-year degree is not the standard requirement, though licensing or certification may still apply.

Skills and knowledge you need

Core skills

Critical Thinking3.6/5
Monitoring3.5/5
Speaking3.1/5

Knowledge areas

Production and Processing3.9/5
Mechanical3.4/5
English Language3.4/5
Food Production3.3/5
Administration and Management3.3/5
Mathematics3.1/5
Public Safety and Security3.1/5
Education and Training3.0/5

Transferable strengths: Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, Complex Problem Solving, Equipment Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repairing.