Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Kentucky
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in Kentucky earn a median of $40,840 a year ($19.63 an hour), based on BLS data for 70 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,980 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $41,330. Kentucky ranks 21st of 34 states for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders pay. There are 0.04 cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.78). The average (mean) salary is $41,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,470 | $18.50 |
| 25th percentile | $39,400 | $18.94 |
| Median | $40,840 | $19.63 |
| 75th percentile | $40,840 | $19.63 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $46,980 | $22.59 |
| Average (mean) | $41,330 | $19.87 |
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 | $3,403.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,701.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,570.77 |
| Weekly | $785.38 |
| Hourly | $19.63 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $40,840 salary, see how much house you can afford in Kentucky 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 Kentucky
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $45,450 | $21.85 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $57,530 | $27.66 |
| Helpers--Production Workers | $42,130 | $20.26 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,050 | $27.91 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $49,180 | $23.64 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $36,180 | $17.40 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,490 | $23.31 |
| Separating, Filtering, Clarifying, Precipitating, and Still Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $58,770 | $28.25 |
| Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $48,180 | $23.16 |
| Ophthalmic Laboratory Technician | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Dental Laboratory Technician | $46,770 | $22.48 |
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 Kentucky?
The median salary for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky is $40,840 a year, or $19.63 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $46,980 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders make in Kentucky?
The top 10% of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky earn at least $46,980 a year. The top 25% earn $40,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders in Kentucky?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,470 a year, and a quarter of cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders earn $39,400 or less.
How many cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders work in Kentucky?
About 70 cooling and freezing equipment operators and tenders are employed in Kentucky, not counting the self-employed.