Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders Salary in Chicago, IL-IN

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN

Median annual salary $65,320 +62.6% vs national
Median hourly $31.41
10th percentile $46,260
90th percentile $82,190
Employed locally 40
National median $40,160

Compare Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary & buying power

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Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
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Chicago, IL-IN
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $46,260
    25th
    $49,640
    50th (median)
    $65,320
    75th
    $82,190
    90th
    $82,190

    Chicago economic context

    Unemployment rate 5.10% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $88,850 2023 • Census ACS
    Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary vs area income 74% Median Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary is 26% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Northwest Iowa nonmetropolitan area $80,070
    Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX $63,780
    Illinois $58,200
    Michigan $54,360
    Lancaster, PA $52,660
    Kansas $51,640

    Nearby metros — Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Illinois $58,200
    St. Louis, MO-IL $49,010
    Gainesville, GA $47,160
    Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR $36,900

    Related occupations in Chicago, IL-IN

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators$40,560
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers$72,760
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders$42,110
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers$47,330
    Machinists$57,470
    Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers$39,530

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders make per hour in Chicago?

    The median hourly wage for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago, IL-IN is $31.41, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $39.51 or more per hour.

    Is Chicago above or below average for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salaries?

    The median Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary in Chicago, IL-IN is 62.6% above the national median of $40,160. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in Chicago?

    Entry-level Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders (10th percentile) earn around $46,260 per year in Chicago, IL-IN. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,640.