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Cold storage worker salary

Average cold storage worker salary

$16.82

$34,995 yearly

Entry-level cold storage worker salary
$27,000 yearly salary
Updated December 15, 2025

Understanding Cold Storage Worker Salaries

The average salary for a Cold Storage Worker is approximately $34,995 per year, translating to about $17 per hour. This role is essential in maintaining the integrity of perishable goods in various industries, making it a vital position in logistics and food services.

Salary levels can differ significantly based on location, experience, and the specific industry within cold storage. For instance, workers in metropolitan areas often earn higher wages due to the increased cost of living. States like California and New York typically offer higher salaries compared to national averages.

Top Paying States and Cities

To maximize earnings, consider applying for positions in states with higher average salaries for cold storage workers. Cities such as Seattle and Chicago are known for competitive pay rates. Additionally, exploring opportunities in industries like food production and pharmaceuticals can lead to better salary prospects. Utilize Zippia to search for jobs that match your skills and desired salary, ensuring a fulfilling career in cold storage.

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Where can a Cold Storage Worker earn more?

Compare salary by location
Vs
63k
43k
23k
3k
Columbus, OH$40,806
Pasco, WA$32,552
Compare salary by company
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59k
39k
19k
-946
Oldcastle Infrastructure$35,542
North Coast Seafoods$29,054

Average cold storage worker salary by state

The average cold storage worker salary in West Virginia, Colorado, and New York are the highest in the U.S. The lowest average cold storage worker salary states are Maine, Kansas, and Arizona.

  • State view
  • County view
Average salary:

Highest paying states for cold storage workers

RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
1South Dakota$37,671$18.11
2New Mexico$42,044$20.21
3Texas$42,112$20.25
4Colorado$44,635$21.46
5Wisconsin$40,914$19.67
6West Virginia$46,005$22.12
7Arkansas$42,001$20.19
8Ohio$37,755$18.15
9Michigan$37,239$17.90
10South Carolina$35,905$17.26
11Pennsylvania$36,712$17.65
12Oregon$36,536$17.57
13New York$42,509$20.44
14Tennessee$34,472$16.57
15Nebraska$34,574$16.62
16New Hampshire$35,048$16.85
17Kentucky$36,736$17.66
18Montana$37,330$17.95
19Minnesota$36,304$17.45
20New Jersey$36,778$17.68
21North Carolina$34,190$16.44
22Missouri$34,271$16.48
23Connecticut$35,537$17.09
24North Dakota$34,425$16.55
25Alabama$34,106$16.40
26Florida$34,308$16.49
27Delaware$35,810$17.22
28Nevada$35,158$16.90
29Utah$33,584$16.15
30Rhode Island$35,321$16.98
31Wyoming$35,260$16.95
32California$34,846$16.75
33District of Columbia$35,669$17.15
34Maryland$35,772$17.20
35Indiana$32,436$15.59
36Vermont$34,926$16.79
37Washington$32,611$15.68
38Massachusetts$35,168$16.91
39Idaho$32,414$15.58
40Hawaii$37,016$17.80
41Iowa$32,767$15.75
42Virginia$32,559$15.65
43Illinois$32,986$15.86
44Kansas$31,898$15.34
45Oklahoma$31,112$14.96
46Mississippi$32,381$15.57
47Georgia$31,254$15.03
48Louisiana$26,472$12.73
49Alaska$32,452$15.60
50Arizona$31,425$15.11
51Maine$32,199$15.48

Highest paying cities for cold storage workers

The highest-paying cities for cold storage workers are Stevens Point, WI, Fresno, CA, and Salem, NH.

RankCityAvg. salaryHourly rate
1Stevens Point, WI$40,806$19.62
2Fresno, CA$35,435$17.04
3Salem, NH$35,084$16.87
4Jacksonville, FL$34,259$16.47
5Sioux City, IA$32,722$15.73
6Pasco, WA$32,552$15.65

Cold storage worker salary details

A cold storage worker's salary ranges from $27,000 a year at the 10th percentile to $44,000 at the 90th percentile.

Average cold storage worker salary graph
Average cold storage worker salary graph, trends, and summary

What is a cold storage worker's salary?

PercentileAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rate
90th Percentile$44,000$3,667$21
75th Percentile$39,000$3,250$19
Average$34,995$2,916$17
25th Percentile$30,000$2,500$14
10th Percentile$27,000$2,250$13

Highest paying cold storage worker jobs

The highest paying types of cold storage workers are generator worker, industrial worker, and production worker.

Job titleAnnual salaryMonthly salaryHourly rateJob openings
Generator Worker$32,651$2,721$15.7076,094
Production Worker$30,847$2,571$14.83136,584

Top companies hiring cold storage workers now:

  1. TAD PGS jobs (2)
  2. Tyson Foods jobs (2)
  3. Remedy Intelligent Staffing jobs (3)
  4. Aerotek jobs (1)
  5. Staffing Resources jobs (1)

Which companies pay cold storage workers the most?

Cold storage worker salaries at Oldcastle Infrastructure and Reed's are the highest-paying according to our most recent salary estimates. In addition, the average cold storage worker salary at companies like TAD PGS and Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network are highly competitive.

RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rate
1Oldcastle Infrastructure$35,542$17.09
2Reed's$35,438$17.04
3TAD PGS$34,631$16.65
4Northeast Rehabilitation Hospital Network$34,259$16.47
5Remedy Intelligent Staffing$33,513$16.11
6Sodexo Management, Inc.$33,346$16.03
7PeopleReady$33,035$15.88
8Elwood Staffing$33,033$15.88
9Staff Management$32,931$15.83
10Express Employment Indy South$32,907$15.82
11AtWork$32,782$15.76
12Automation Personnel Services$32,699$15.72
13Randstad North America, Inc.$32,580$15.66
14Aventure Staffing$32,533$15.64
15ManpowerGroup$32,494$15.62
16Marathon Cheese Corporation$30,786$14.80
17North Coast Seafoods$29,054$13.97

Wage gap by gender, race and education

$36,000$35,600$35,200$34,800$34,400$34,000
MaleFemale

Cold Storage Worker salary by industry

The average cold storage worker salary varies across industries:

  • The average cold storage worker salary in the retail industry is $38,725, the highest of any industry.
  • The average cold storage worker salary in the finance industry is $35,224.
  • Cold storage workers in the agriculture industry earn an average salary of $29,067, the lowest of any industry.

Highest paying industries for cold storage workers

RankIndustryAverage salaryHourly rate
1Retail$38,725$18.62
2Manufacturing$35,224$16.93
3Professional$32,642$15.69
4Hospitality$29,922$14.39
5Agriculture$29,067$13.97

High paying cold storage worker jobs

Cold storage worker salary trends

The average cold storage worker salary has risen by $8,227 over the last ten years. In 2014, the average cold storage worker earned $26,768 annually, but today, they earn $34,995 a year. That works out to a 15% change in pay for cold storage workers over the last decade.

Compare cold storage worker salaries for cities or states with the national average over time.

Average cold storage worker salary over time

Compare cold storage worker salaries for individual cities or states with the national average.

Cold storage worker salary by year

YearAvg. salaryHourly rate% Change
2025$35,000$16.82+4.8%
2024$33,300$16.01+3.3%
2023$32,200$15.48+2.6%
2022$31,400$15.08+3.4%
2021$30,300$14.57+3.5%

Recently added cold storage worker salaries

CompanyJobLocationDate addedSalary
AdvancehrCold Storage WorkerWoodbridge, NJ02/17/2025$41,740
SFI Cuyahoga Falls, OhioCold StorageSolon, OH01/17/2025$36,523
IMKO Workforce SolutionsCold Storage WorkerSioux City, IA09/26/2024$31,305
McCain FoodsEaston-Cold Storage Forklift OepratorEaston, ME05/24/2024$45,684
IMKO Workforce SolutionsMaintenance-Cold StorageSioux City, IA03/23/2024$50,088
NW Employment SolutionsCold Storag ForkliftSalem, OR01/16/2024$41,740
Kelly ServicesCold Storage Pick PackFort Worth, TX09/20/2023$27,131
Randstad UsCold Storage WarehouseAurora, IL08/08/2023$35,479

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