Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Iowa
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in Iowa earn a median of $62,520 a year ($30.06 an hour), based on BLS data for 290 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,790 for the top 10%. That is 51% higher than the national median of $41,330. Iowa ranks 2nd of 34 states for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.19 cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 4.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $63,740, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,720 | $20.06 |
| 25th percentile | $42,510 | $20.44 |
| Median | $62,520 | $30.06 |
| 75th percentile | $82,790 | $39.80 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,790 | $39.80 |
| Average (mean) | $63,740 | $30.65 |
Half of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,210 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,605 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,404.62 |
| Weekly | $1,202.31 |
| Hourly | $30.06 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $62,520 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Highest-paying states for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Nebraska | $68,170 |
| Iowa | $62,520 |
| Indiana | $55,730 |
| Missouri | $53,940 |
| New Jersey | $51,460 |
| Washington | $50,870 |
| Illinois | $49,200 |
| Idaho | $48,360 |
| Ohio | $48,160 |
| Wisconsin | $47,060 |
See Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders pay in every state.
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $50,740 | $24.40 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,660 | $21.95 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,300 | $25.15 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $44,450 | $21.37 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,330 | $23.72 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $51,570 | $24.79 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $45,560 | $21.91 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,550 | $27.67 |
| Crushing, Grinding, and Polishing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $62,590 | $30.09 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,220 | $25.11 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,110 | $22.17 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $49,600 | $23.84 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Programmer | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| Tire Builder | $50,600 | $24.33 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-9193. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders make in Iowa?
The median salary for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Iowa is $62,520 a year, or $30.06 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,720 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders make in Iowa?
The top 10% of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Iowa earn at least $82,790 a year. The top 25% earn $82,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,720 a year, and a quarter of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn $42,510 or less.
How many cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders work in Iowa?
About 290 cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.