The average salary for a crane and tower operator in the United States is $68,040, but the range typically falls between $48,380 and $78,720. This corresponds to an average hourly wage of $32.71, with a range between $23.26 and $37.85.
There are approximately 42,260 people employed as a crane and tower operator in the United States. With Texas, California, Florida employing the highest number of crane and tower operators.The state with the best pay for a crane and tower operator is Hawaii, with an average annual salary of $110,940, while Kentucky has the lowest average annual salary of $53,640.
| Annual Salary | Hourly Wage | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $39,200 | $18.85 |
| 25th Percentile | $48,380 | $23.26 |
| Median | $64,690 | $31.1 |
| 75th Percentile | $78,720 | $37.85 |
| 90th Percentile | $98,820 | $47.51 |
The salary of a crane and tower operator can vary depending on the state. Below is a map of the United States showing the average annual salary for a crane and tower operator in each state. The darker the color, the higher the salary. The best states for crane and tower operators are Hawaii, Nevada, Oregon, Alaska, Massachusetts while the worst states are Kentucky, Arkansas, Ohio, Alabama, Mississippi.
| State | Low-end | Average | High-end |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $35,000 | $53,320 | $72,900 |
| Alaska | $66,500 | $86,180 | $102,750 |
| Arizona | $40,870 | $63,140 | $93,600 |
| Arkansas | $33,450 | $48,610 | $60,640 |
| California | $37,990 | $66,850 | $121,220 |
| Colorado | $55,560 | $73,250 | $97,100 |
| Connecticut | $58,360 | $83,440 | $107,020 |
| Delaware | $47,620 | $59,240 | $74,160 |
| District of Columbia | $57,990 | $89,690 | $113,880 |
| Florida | $39,000 | $63,910 | $84,830 |
| Georgia | $36,250 | $59,090 | $76,710 |
| Hawaii | $87,630 | $110,940 | $122,810 |
| Idaho | $67,420 | $76,220 | $88,850 |
| Illinois | $38,350 | $73,270 | $131,490 |
| Indiana | $40,020 | $62,520 | $91,250 |
| Iowa | $47,120 | $60,470 | $78,240 |
| Kansas | $43,430 | $62,720 | $81,250 |
| Kentucky | $39,850 | $53,640 | $78,580 |
| Louisiana | $35,310 | $61,480 | $82,040 |
| Maine | $44,250 | $62,040 | $81,480 |
| Maryland | $41,770 | $67,150 | $85,400 |
| Massachusetts | $57,880 | $96,750 | $137,080 |
| Michigan | $40,180 | $66,030 | $94,720 |
| Minnesota | $54,600 | $79,540 | $108,510 |
| Mississippi | $30,760 | $54,750 | $80,960 |
| Missouri | $38,800 | $73,430 | $98,010 |
| Montana | $43,760 | $65,890 | $90,630 |
| Nebraska | $40,820 | $64,580 | $77,320 |
| Nevada | $75,770 | $108,890 | $136,900 |
| New Hampshire | $62,400 | $68,980 | $87,510 |
| New Jersey | $58,690 | $90,880 | $130,270 |
| New Mexico | $55,300 | $65,890 | $81,070 |
| New York | $54,770 | $118,190 | $202,990 |
| North Carolina | $43,340 | $62,030 | $79,000 |
| North Dakota | $49,650 | $76,720 | $91,200 |
| Ohio | $37,680 | $60,150 | $93,030 |
| Oklahoma | $37,440 | $58,280 | $79,880 |
| Oregon | $56,110 | $96,440 | $117,080 |
| Pennsylvania | $39,260 | $61,170 | $93,230 |
| South Carolina | $37,960 | $58,750 | $87,360 |
| South Dakota | $52,400 | $73,300 | $98,560 |
| Tennessee | $39,620 | $56,390 | $76,250 |
| Texas | $39,370 | $67,380 | $92,620 |
| Utah | $40,200 | $66,140 | $85,380 |
| Vermont | $53,360 | $68,630 | $77,310 |
| Virginia | $42,430 | $65,320 | $88,320 |
| Washington | $58,550 | $86,220 | $117,600 |
| West Virginia | $37,000 | $59,210 | $89,230 |
| Wisconsin | $41,500 | $67,880 | $104,590 |
| Wyoming | $62,400 | $71,500 | $82,950 |
Even between cities, the salary of a crane and tower operator can vary. For example, the areas with the highest average salary for crane and tower operators is New York-Newark-Jersey City area, NY with an average salary of $115,690.The city with the lowest average salary for crane and tower operators is Northwest Mississippi nonmetropolitan area, MS with an average salary of $36,760.
Areas with highest average salaries for crane and tower operators
Areas with lowest average salaries for crane and tower operators
The number of crane and tower operators in the United States has been decreasing over the years. Since 2020, the number of crane and tower operators has decreased by -1,800. On average, the number of crane and tower operators has been increasing by -1.0% each year. The salary of crane and tower operators has been increasing. Since 2020, the salary of crane and tower operators has increased by $4,030. On average, the salary of crane and tower operators has been increasing by 1.6% each year.
Crane and Tower Operators are part of the transportation and material moving occupations group. Below is a comparison of the average annual salary for crane and tower operators compared to other jobs in the same occupation group. View all transportation and material moving occupations jobs here.
$136,790 per year
$62,840 per year
$63,840 per year
$35,120 per year
$250,050 per year
$69,930 per year
