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Top 15 cities for crane and tower operators by average salary
| Honolulu, HI | $118,530 |
|---|---|
| New York, NY | $116,710 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $115,300 |
| Kennewick, WA | $111,710 |
| Buffalo, NY | $109,610 |
| Worcester, MA | $109,460 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $108,550 |
| Albany, NY | $107,670 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,010 |
| San Francisco, CA | $104,910 |
| Boston, MA | $97,830 |
| Bremerton, WA | $97,700 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,960 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $92,950 |
| Springfield, MA | $92,490 |
Map: Crane and Tower Operators salary by metro area
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Crane and Tower Operators salary by state
Hawaii pays crane and tower operators the most statewide, $119,300 a year on average. Statewide columns cover every employer in the state; city columns cover the metro areas we publish.
| State | Statewide average | Statewide median | Jobs | Metros | Highest city average | Lowest city average |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $119,300 | $124,260 | 190 | 1 | $118,530 | $118,530 |
| New York | $115,400 | $85,850 | 1,150 | 3 | $116,710 | $107,670 |
| Nevada | $108,410 | $115,840 | 380 | 2 | $115,300 | $92,320 |
| New Jersey | $102,380 | $100,640 | 1,000 | 1 | $91,340 | $91,340 |
| Washington | $101,600 | $101,110 | 1,030 | 5 | $111,710 | $88,480 |
| Massachusetts | $100,260 | $98,150 | 680 | 3 | $109,460 | $92,490 |
| Rhode Island | $99,690 | $104,340 | n/a | 1 | $89,470 | $89,470 |
| Alaska | $91,790 | $92,490 | 50 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Oregon | $91,780 | $83,260 | 340 | 2 | $90,530 | $76,010 |
| California | $87,030 | $79,570 | 2,130 | 10 | $104,910 | $69,400 |
| Minnesota | $85,490 | $80,930 | 370 | 3 | $92,950 | $67,740 |
| Washington, D.C. | n/a | n/a | n/a | 1 | $83,830 | $83,830 |
| Maryland | $82,070 | $87,950 | n/a | 1 | $79,360 | $79,360 |
| Montana | $81,740 | $82,800 | 30 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| North Dakota | $79,800 | $82,890 | 180 | 1 | $86,980 | $86,980 |
| Wyoming | $79,180 | $77,970 | 230 | 1 | $77,330 | $77,330 |
| Connecticut | $79,050 | $81,360 | 220 | 4 | $90,280 | $69,280 |
| Colorado | $76,030 | $77,120 | 470 | 2 | $84,980 | $78,990 |
| Vermont | $75,930 | $72,760 | 170 | 1 | $78,250 | $78,250 |
| Kansas | $73,110 | $77,100 | 780 | 1 | $72,400 | $72,400 |
| Wisconsin | $72,660 | $67,720 | 440 | 2 | $73,180 | $65,620 |
| Florida | $71,460 | $71,560 | 2,570 | 11 | $76,440 | $62,710 |
| Illinois | $71,380 | $61,820 | 1,220 | 2 | $62,560 | $51,430 |
| Utah | $70,970 | $67,410 | 440 | 3 | $84,790 | $59,430 |
| South Dakota | $70,560 | $71,000 | 120 | 1 | $65,170 | $65,170 |
| Arizona | $70,260 | $67,350 | 930 | 3 | $70,860 | $68,400 |
| Texas | $69,650 | $73,280 | 6,010 | 17 | $78,410 | $50,400 |
| Pennsylvania | $68,580 | $65,190 | 1,630 | 8 | $82,170 | $61,370 |
| Michigan | $68,230 | $59,740 | 1,310 | 4 | $74,100 | $55,520 |
| Iowa | $67,390 | $67,600 | 650 | 4 | $72,200 | $54,070 |
| Virginia | $66,470 | $66,600 | 1,120 | 4 | $71,430 | $57,380 |
| Maine | $66,340 | $65,690 | 360 | 3 | $74,520 | $52,770 |
| Oklahoma | $66,120 | $63,590 | 620 | 2 | $70,390 | $62,990 |
| South Carolina | $65,890 | $64,120 | 720 | 5 | $74,890 | $52,030 |
| North Carolina | $65,620 | $64,480 | 1,050 | 7 | $72,700 | $64,280 |
| Idaho | $65,560 | $52,770 | n/a | 1 | $69,510 | $69,510 |
| New Hampshire | $65,170 | $63,310 | 170 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Missouri | $63,850 | $58,450 | 630 | 2 | $76,660 | $63,230 |
| Kentucky | $63,750 | $62,000 | 640 | 3 | $72,090 | $63,830 |
| New Mexico | $63,550 | $62,400 | 290 | 1 | $73,450 | $73,450 |
| Louisiana | $63,380 | $61,170 | 1,930 | 7 | $73,150 | $54,890 |
| Tennessee | $63,250 | $59,410 | 660 | 5 | $68,450 | $54,140 |
| Ohio | $63,000 | $57,620 | 1,780 | 8 | $77,900 | $53,880 |
| Delaware | $62,330 | $60,160 | 220 | 0 | n/a | n/a |
| Georgia | $62,240 | $62,050 | 1,370 | 3 | $72,120 | $65,770 |
| Nebraska | $61,510 | $60,720 | 410 | 2 | $75,610 | $66,250 |
| Alabama | $61,170 | $60,790 | 1,280 | 6 | $73,280 | $49,060 |
| Indiana | $57,330 | $52,950 | 2,300 | 4 | $69,240 | $55,660 |
| Mississippi | $56,090 | $61,260 | 550 | 2 | $62,470 | $59,450 |
| West Virginia | $54,450 | $54,830 | 170 | 1 | $60,650 | $60,650 |
| Arkansas | $45,160 | $41,600 | 880 | 3 | $52,930 | $44,850 |
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Crane and Tower Operators salary in every city we cover
Sort by any column. Each city links to its pay range, take-home pay and cost of living.
| Metro area | Average | Median | Hourly | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu, HI | $118,530 | $120,560 | $56.99 | 170 |
| New York, NY | $116,710 | $100,640 | $56.11 | 1,500 |
| Las Vegas, NV | $115,300 | $131,690 | $55.43 | n/a |
| Kennewick, WA | $111,710 | $120,310 | $53.71 | 40 |
| Buffalo, NY | $109,610 | $74,700 | $52.70 | 60 |
| Worcester, MA | $109,460 | $122,260 | $52.63 | 110 |
| Mount Vernon, WA | $108,550 | $116,840 | $52.19 | 70 |
| Albany, NY | $107,670 | $73,010 | $51.76 | 40 |
| Seattle, WA | $105,010 | $114,330 | $50.49 | 570 |
| San Francisco, CA | $104,910 | $98,410 | $50.44 | 240 |
| Boston, MA | $97,830 | $98,140 | $47.04 | 500 |
| Bremerton, WA | $97,700 | $99,320 | $46.97 | 110 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $94,960 | $81,490 | $45.65 | 590 |
| Minneapolis, MN | $92,950 | $99,540 | $44.69 | 180 |
| Springfield, MA | $92,490 | $90,320 | $44.47 | 40 |
| Reno, NV | $92,320 | $101,160 | $44.39 | n/a |
| Fresno, CA | $91,850 | $77,330 | $44.16 | 50 |
| Atlantic City, NJ | $91,340 | $96,510 | $43.92 | 40 |
| Portland, OR | $90,530 | $80,260 | $43.52 | 210 |
| New Haven, CT | $90,280 | $99,130 | $43.40 | 30 |
| Providence, RI | $89,470 | $89,880 | $43.01 | 130 |
| Spokane, WA | $88,480 | $79,500 | $42.54 | 70 |
| Fargo, ND | $86,980 | $81,980 | $41.82 | 40 |
| Greeley, CO | $84,980 | $73,340 | $40.86 | 30 |
| Salt Lake City, UT | $84,790 | $79,970 | $40.76 | 250 |
| Vallejo, CA | $84,000 | $77,320 | $40.39 | 30 |
| Washington, DC | $83,830 | $92,120 | $40.30 | 410 |
| Stockton, CA | $83,410 | $77,130 | $40.10 | 50 |
| San Diego, CA | $82,580 | $79,720 | $39.70 | 210 |
| Reading, PA | $82,170 | $98,860 | $39.50 | 60 |
| Hartford, CT | $81,560 | $97,740 | $39.21 | 50 |
| Baltimore, MD | $79,360 | $87,950 | $38.16 | 410 |
| Denver, CO | $78,990 | $77,200 | $37.98 | 250 |
| Midland, TX | $78,410 | $79,220 | $37.70 | 150 |
| Philadelphia, PA | $78,380 | $72,010 | $37.68 | 790 |
| Burlington, VT | $78,250 | $77,490 | $37.62 | 50 |
| Dayton, OH | $77,900 | $83,040 | $37.45 | 90 |
| Bridgeport, CT | $77,820 | $78,080 | $37.41 | 40 |
| Casper, WY | $77,330 | $77,830 | $37.18 | 40 |
| Kansas City, MO | $76,660 | $81,150 | $36.86 | 330 |
| Miami, FL | $76,440 | $78,100 | $36.75 | 530 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $76,190 | $70,840 | $36.63 | 160 |
| Eugene, OR | $76,010 | $68,460 | $36.54 | 40 |
| Naples, FL | $76,000 | $81,280 | $36.54 | 50 |
| Tampa, FL | $76,000 | $77,420 | $36.54 | 370 |
| Oxnard, CA | $75,900 | $78,310 | $36.49 | 50 |
| Lincoln, NE | $75,610 | $77,500 | $36.35 | 100 |
| Duluth, MN | $75,590 | $75,230 | $36.34 | 40 |
| Charleston, SC | $74,890 | $80,880 | $36.01 | 320 |
| Portland, ME | $74,520 | $74,650 | $35.83 | 170 |
| Austin, TX | $74,370 | $75,360 | $35.76 | 230 |
| Saginaw, MI | $74,100 | $76,750 | $35.63 | 30 |
| Odessa, TX | $74,020 | $75,310 | $35.59 | 90 |
| Riverside, CA | $73,680 | $78,140 | $35.42 | 260 |
| Las Cruces, NM | $73,450 | $81,830 | $35.31 | 50 |
| Mobile, AL | $73,280 | $65,510 | $35.23 | 260 |
| Green Bay, WI | $73,180 | $73,780 | $35.18 | 40 |
| Slidell, LA | $73,150 | $80,700 | $35.17 | 40 |
| Canton, OH | $72,940 | $72,070 | $35.07 | 110 |
| Raleigh, NC | $72,700 | $72,520 | $34.95 | 170 |
| Wichita, KS | $72,400 | $78,180 | $34.81 | 340 |
| Rocky Mount, NC | $72,270 | $73,420 | $34.74 | 30 |
| Palm Bay, FL | $72,210 | $77,010 | $34.72 | 160 |
| Des Moines, IA | $72,200 | $75,760 | $34.71 | 90 |
| Augusta, GA | $72,120 | $76,940 | $34.68 | 40 |
| Louisville, KY | $72,090 | $80,850 | $34.66 | 170 |
| Columbus, OH | $72,030 | $66,710 | $34.63 | 120 |
| Fort Myers, FL | $71,830 | $76,510 | $34.53 | 190 |
| Lewiston, ME | $71,770 | $74,040 | $34.51 | 30 |
| Lexington, KY | $71,570 | $74,130 | $34.41 | 50 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $71,520 | $74,200 | $34.38 | 330 |
| Virginia Beach, VA | $71,430 | $71,400 | $34.34 | 430 |
| Phoenix, AZ | $70,860 | $72,580 | $34.07 | 630 |
| Houston, TX | $70,810 | $75,500 | $34.05 | 2,100 |
| Tulsa, OK | $70,390 | $76,400 | $33.84 | 200 |
| Durham, NC | $70,350 | $73,710 | $33.82 | 40 |
| Orlando, FL | $70,270 | $72,880 | $33.79 | 300 |
| Panama City, FL | $70,270 | $64,840 | $33.78 | 50 |
| Detroit, MI | $70,000 | $59,740 | $33.65 | 650 |
| Scranton, PA | $70,000 | $71,770 | $33.65 | 50 |
| Dallas, TX | $69,630 | $68,640 | $33.47 | 1,310 |
| Wilmington, NC | $69,620 | $68,670 | $33.47 | 60 |
| Boise, ID | $69,510 | $60,440 | $33.42 | n/a |
| Sacramento, CA | $69,400 | $64,500 | $33.37 | 170 |
| Ogden, UT | $69,370 | $71,950 | $33.35 | 40 |
| Sarasota, FL | $69,320 | $63,780 | $33.33 | 100 |
| Norwich, CT | $69,280 | $70,890 | $33.31 | 50 |
| Indianapolis, IN | $69,240 | $72,020 | $33.29 | 340 |
| Prescott Valley, AZ | $69,210 | $65,750 | $33.28 | 40 |
| Lancaster, PA | $68,850 | $72,150 | $33.10 | 80 |
| Nashville, TN | $68,450 | $76,750 | $32.91 | 210 |
| Tucson, AZ | $68,400 | $64,750 | $32.88 | 100 |
| Savannah, GA | $68,380 | $72,660 | $32.87 | 160 |
| Akron, OH | $68,350 | $64,650 | $32.86 | 120 |
| Beaumont, TX | $68,190 | $73,050 | $32.79 | 240 |
| Davenport, IA | $68,170 | $69,270 | $32.77 | 110 |
| Killeen, TX | $68,080 | $76,010 | $32.73 | 40 |
| Jacksonville, FL | $67,800 | $64,600 | $32.59 | 340 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $67,750 | $66,680 | $32.57 | 560 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $67,740 | $57,680 | $32.57 | 30 |
| San Antonio, TX | $67,520 | $68,200 | $32.46 | 270 |
| New Orleans, LA | $67,120 | $65,490 | $32.27 | 420 |
| Winchester, VA | $66,620 | $63,480 | $32.03 | 40 |
| Evansville, IN | $66,530 | $64,100 | $31.99 | 90 |
| Omaha, NE | $66,250 | $68,880 | $31.85 | 150 |
| Decatur, AL | $66,080 | $45,640 | $31.77 | 100 |
| Atlanta, GA | $65,770 | $62,910 | $31.62 | 660 |
| Milwaukee, WI | $65,620 | $59,430 | $31.55 | 90 |
| Cleveland, OH | $65,360 | $57,620 | $31.42 | 400 |
| Sioux Falls, SD | $65,170 | $63,960 | $31.33 | 70 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | $65,140 | $61,510 | $31.32 | 330 |
| Winston-Salem, NC | $64,990 | $67,280 | $31.25 | 100 |
| Charlotte, NC | $64,610 | $63,300 | $31.06 | 300 |
| Waterloo, IA | $64,450 | $60,110 | $30.99 | 40 |
| Greensboro, NC | $64,280 | $64,730 | $30.90 | 80 |
| Tallahassee, FL | $64,240 | $61,040 | $30.89 | 50 |
| Columbia, SC | $64,220 | $65,870 | $30.87 | 50 |
| College Station, TX | $63,980 | $60,520 | $30.76 | 40 |
| Paducah, KY | $63,830 | $63,070 | $30.69 | 30 |
| Allentown, PA | $63,720 | $63,190 | $30.63 | 90 |
| Cincinnati, OH | $63,630 | $55,000 | $30.59 | 210 |
| St. Louis, MO | $63,230 | $46,170 | $30.40 | 320 |
| Waco, TX | $63,070 | $61,350 | $30.32 | 50 |
| Oklahoma City, OK | $62,990 | $59,110 | $30.29 | 150 |
| Lakeland, FL | $62,710 | $60,010 | $30.15 | 80 |
| Chicago, IL | $62,560 | $55,890 | $30.08 | 1,880 |
| Gulfport, MS | $62,470 | $64,520 | $30.03 | 140 |
| El Paso, TX | $62,230 | $62,280 | $29.92 | 120 |
| York, PA | $61,500 | $63,680 | $29.57 | 60 |
| Harrisburg, PA | $61,370 | $51,450 | $29.51 | 80 |
| Longview, TX | $61,370 | $60,830 | $29.51 | n/a |
| Grand Rapids, MI | $61,190 | $54,560 | $29.42 | 230 |
| Richmond, VA | $61,080 | $61,180 | $29.36 | 170 |
| Jackson, TN | $60,660 | $59,410 | $29.17 | 70 |
| Huntington, WV | $60,650 | $56,780 | $29.16 | 80 |
| Knoxville, TN | $59,930 | $58,670 | $28.81 | 110 |
| Lafayette, LA | $59,630 | $58,780 | $28.67 | 100 |
| Jackson, MS | $59,450 | $63,610 | $28.58 | 100 |
| Provo, UT | $59,430 | $48,920 | $28.57 | 40 |
| Memphis, TN | $59,310 | $53,600 | $28.52 | 110 |
| Tyler, TX | $58,900 | $55,930 | $28.32 | 30 |
| Greenville, SC | $58,720 | $58,370 | $28.23 | 90 |
| Houma, LA | $57,980 | $57,230 | $27.88 | 300 |
| Elkhart, IN | $57,730 | $50,550 | $27.76 | 40 |
| Roanoke, VA | $57,380 | $52,540 | $27.59 | 40 |
| Toledo, OH | $56,850 | $57,020 | $27.33 | 120 |
| McAllen, TX | $56,610 | $56,300 | $27.22 | 50 |
| Monroe, LA | $56,180 | $55,770 | $27.01 | 40 |
| South Bend, IN | $55,660 | $49,440 | $26.76 | 40 |
| Monroe, MI | $55,520 | $49,480 | $26.69 | 60 |
| Shreveport, LA | $54,890 | $48,060 | $26.39 | 120 |
| Anniston, AL | $54,850 | $56,010 | $26.37 | 40 |
| Florence, SC | $54,640 | $48,100 | $26.27 | 60 |
| Chattanooga, TN | $54,140 | $45,280 | $26.03 | 60 |
| Dubuque, IA | $54,070 | $49,720 | $26.00 | n/a |
| Youngstown, OH | $53,880 | $54,300 | $25.90 | 80 |
| Fayetteville, AR | $52,930 | $46,430 | $25.45 | n/a |
| Brownsville, TX | $52,880 | $54,060 | $25.42 | 30 |
| Bangor, ME | $52,770 | $46,540 | $25.37 | 40 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $52,760 | $48,870 | $25.37 | 40 |
| Birmingham, AL | $52,740 | $47,620 | $25.35 | 310 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $52,030 | $47,200 | $25.01 | 60 |
| Rockford, IL | $51,430 | $49,400 | $24.73 | 40 |
| San Angelo, TX | $50,400 | $45,950 | $24.23 | 40 |
| Fort Smith, AR | $49,450 | $44,330 | $23.78 | 90 |
| Montgomery, AL | $49,060 | $44,480 | $23.59 | 40 |
| Little Rock, AR | $44,850 | $42,380 | $21.56 | n/a |
Related jobs
- Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, HandU.S. average $42,260
- Industrial Truck and Tractor OperatorsU.S. average $48,370
- Cleaners of Vehicles and EquipmentU.S. average $36,980
- Packers and Packagers, HandU.S. average $37,540
- Stockers and Order FillersU.S. average $39,540
- Machine Feeders and OffbearersU.S. average $43,660
- Pump Operators, Except Wellhead PumpersU.S. average $63,960
- Refuse and Recyclable Material CollectorsU.S. average $52,820
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Crane and Tower Operators salary: questions
Where do crane and tower operators make the most money?
In Honolulu, HI, with an average of $118,530 a year, among the 167 metro areas we cover.
What is the average crane and tower operators salary in the U.S.?
$72,130 a year nationwide (BLS OEWS national estimates, May 2025); the median is $68,080, so half of crane and tower operators earn more than that and half less.
What salary should crane and tower operators ask for?
Start from the figures for your city: the middle half of crane and tower operators nationwide earn between $52,600 (25th percentile) and $83,200 (75th percentile). Newer workers usually start near the 25th percentile and experienced ones can ask for the 75th; each city page shows the local range. See how to read salary percentiles.
Which state pays crane and tower operators the most?
Hawaii, with a statewide average of $119,300 a year (BLS state estimates, May 2025).
Where is crane and tower operators pay the lowest?
Little Rock, AR, at $44,850 a year on average. Lower pay often comes with lower prices: check the cost of living on each city page.
Sources and how to read this page
- Wages: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates for metropolitan areas. SOC code 53-7021.
- U.S. and statewide figures: BLS OEWS national and state estimates, May 2025, every employer including rural areas.
- Cost of living: Bureau of Economic Analysis regional price parities (RPP), 2024; 100 = U.S. average.
Read the full methodology. Spotted an error? Tell us.