Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage — Average Employee Salary

The average employee in the refrigerated warehousing and storage industry earns $62,476 per year ($30.04/hour), according to Bureau of Labor Statistics QCEW data.

$62,476
Avg Annual Pay
73,514
Total Employees
1,760
Total Establishments
42
Avg Employees/Business

What Do Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage Workers Earn?

At $62,476/year (equivalent to $30.04/hour for a full-time worker), refrigerated warehousing and storage wages are near the national average of ~$65,000.

The typical refrigerated warehousing and storage business employs 42 people. These are larger operations where staffing represents a major cost center and management complexity.

Wages as a Percentage of Revenue

24.3%

For the average refrigerated warehousing and storage business generating $10.8M/year with 42 employees at $62,476 each, total payroll represents roughly 24.3% of revenue. Labor costs are relatively low compared to revenue — other costs (materials, equipment, overhead) dominate.

What This Means for Business Owners

If you're starting or running a refrigerated warehousing and storagebusiness, here's what the wage data means for your bottom line:

  • Per-employee cost: Budget approximately $81,219/year per employee (salary + ~30% for benefits, taxes, and insurance).
  • Typical team size: 42 employees = ~$2,623,992/year in base payroll.
  • Hourly equivalent: $30.04/hour base — factor this into pricing and project estimates.
  • Revenue needed: With average revenue of $10.8M/business, you need strong utilization rates to maintain healthy margins after payroll.

See how these wages compare to total revenue and profit margins.

View full Refrigerated Warehousing and Storage revenue benchmarks →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do refrigerated warehousing and storage employees make?
The average refrigerated warehousing and storage employee earns $62,476 per year, which is equivalent to $30.04/hour for a full-time worker (2,080 hours/year). This is below the national average of approximately $65,000.
How many people work in the refrigerated warehousing and storage industry?
The refrigerated warehousing and storage industry employs 73,514 workers across 1,760 establishments in the United States. The average business in this industry has approximately 42 employees.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW 2023).