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Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders by $33K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders land at $41,330 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: cooling and freezing equipment operators and tender programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders is Nebraska ($68,170); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$41,330
$74,450
Hourly rate
$19.87/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$33,430
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$62,340
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
6,900
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
7.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Nebraska
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders median pay.

State
Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Iowa
$62,520
$74,750
Indiana
$55,730
$73,950
New Jersey
$51,460
$81,110
Washington
$50,870
$79,310
Illinois
$49,200
$75,200
Wisconsin
$47,060
$74,840
Minnesota
$46,910
$78,550
Massachusetts
$46,800
$79,920
Colorado
$46,160
$78,890
New York
$45,460
$78,580
California
$42,100
$76,840
Connecticut
$41,080
$83,150
South Carolina
$39,640
$77,500
Pennsylvania
$39,360
$74,990
Virginia
$35,370
$74,150

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $41,330 for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $33K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders has the better 10-year outlook at 7.2% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders get paid the most?

Nebraska is the top-paying state for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders at $68,170/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Iowa, Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders earn $62,520 vs. $74,750 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a cooling and freezing equipment operators and tendersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →