CFChooseField
Production

Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders

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.

Visual summary of pay, outlook, skills, interests, and preparation for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders
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Median pay

$40,160
Median annual pay for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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10-year growth

7.2%
Projected employment growth from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Annual openings

800
Projected annual openings, including growth and replacement demand.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Employment

7,100
Estimated U.S. employment for Cooling and Freezing Equipment Operators and Tenders in 2024.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024
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Jobs added or lost

+500
Projected numeric employment change from 2024 to 2034.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024–2034 projections
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Entry preparation

High school diploma or equivalent
Typical additional preparation: Moderate-term on-the-job training.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics · 2024 profile
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O*NET occupation profile

What the work involves

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Essential skills

  1. 1Critical Thinking
  2. 2Monitoring
  3. 3Speaking
  4. 4Active Learning
  5. 5Active Listening
  6. 6Reading Comprehension

Knowledge areas

  1. 1Production and Processing
  2. 2Mechanical
  3. 3English Language
  4. 4Food Production
  5. 5Administration and Management
  6. 6Mathematics

Abilities

  1. 1Near Vision
  2. 2Problem Sensitivity
  3. 3Deductive Reasoning
  4. 4Arm-Hand Steadiness
  5. 5Perceptual Speed
  6. 6Control Precision

Career interests

  1. 1Realistic
  2. 2Conventional
  3. 3Investigative
  4. 4Social
  5. 5Enterprising
  6. 6Artistic

Work styles

  1. 1Dependability
  2. 2Attention to Detail
  3. 3Cautiousness
  4. 4Integrity
  5. 5Stress Tolerance
  6. 6Perseverance

Work activities

  1. 1Controlling Machines and Processes
  2. 2Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
  3. 3Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
  4. 4Getting Information
  5. 5Documenting/Recording Information
  6. 6Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates

Work context

  1. 1Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
  2. 2Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
  3. 3Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
  4. 4Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
  5. 5Spend Time Standing
  6. 6Health and Safety of Other Workers

Representative tasks

  • 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.
  • Start machinery, such as pumps, feeders, or conveyors, and turn valves to heat, admit, or transfer products, refrigerants, or mixes.
  • Correct machinery malfunctions by performing actions such as removing jams, and inform supervisors of malfunctions as necessary.
  • Assemble equipment, and attach pipes, fittings, or valves, using hand tools.
  • 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.

Software and tools

Microsoft Excel · hot technologyMicrosoft Office software · hot technologyMicrosoft PowerPoint · hot technologyMicrosoft Word · hot technologyGoogle Gmail

Sources

BLS provides national pay, employment, and projections. O*NET provides skills, interests, preparation, tasks, work context, and tools.

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