Crane and Tower Operators pay range in Duluth
New workers and the lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,080 a year or less, while the top 10% make $104,710 or more. The middle half of crane and tower operators in Duluth earn between $61,420 and $83,340.
- $51K10th
- $61K25th
- $75KMedian
- $83K75th
- $105K90th
median average · bar = middle 50% of workers · how to read it
| Pay level | Per year | Per month | Per hour* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average | $75,590 | $6,299 | $36.34 |
| Median | $75,230 | $6,269 | $36.17 |
| Entry level (25th percentile) | $61,420 | $5,118 | $29.53 |
| Experienced (75th percentile) | $83,340 | $6,945 | $40.07 |
*Hourly figures assume 2,080 paid hours a year. Hourly to annual salary.
Crane and Tower Operators pay in Duluth vs. Minnesota and the U.S.
Crane and tower operators in Duluth earn 12% less than the Minnesota average ($85,490) and 5% more than the U.S. average ($72,130). At the median the gap is +11% against the U.S. median of $68,080.
| Area | Average | Median | 10th pct. | 90th pct. | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duluth | $75,590 | $75,230 | $51,080 | $104,710 | 40 |
| Minnesota | $85,490 | $80,930 | $52,590 | $116,890 | 370 |
| United States | $72,130 | $68,080 | $42,640 | $103,570 | 42,890 |
State and U.S. rows: BLS statewide and national estimates, May 2025, which include rural areas.
Crane and Tower Operators salary after taxes in Duluth
On the average salary of $75,590, a single filer in Duluth takes home about $58,391 a year, or $4,866 a month and $2,246 every two weeks. Taxes take 23% of gross pay.
The Duluth, MN-WI metro area crosses state lines, so take-home pay depends on the state where you work:
| State | Per year | Per month |
|---|---|---|
| Working in WI | $59,029 | $4,919 |
| Working in MN | $58,391 | $4,866 |
Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Is Duluth a good place for crane and tower operators? Pay vs. cost of living
Prices in the Duluth area are 11% below the U.S. average (BEA price parity 88.8), so the average $75,590 buys what about $85,155 would buy in a typical U.S. metro. This job pays 1.5 times the median wage of all jobs in Duluth ($50,000). A typical home costs $264,350, or 3.5 years of this average salary before tax.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other Minnesota cities
Duluth ranks 2nd of 3 Minnesota metro areas for this job; Minneapolis pays the most ($92,950).
- Minneapolis$92,950
- Duluth$75,590
- St. Cloud$67,740
Highest-paying cities for crane and tower operators
Honolulu, HI pays this job the most of the metro areas we cover ($118,530).
- Honolulu, HI$118,530
- New York, NY$116,710
- Las Vegas, NV$115,300
- Kennewick, WA$111,710
- Buffalo, NY$109,610
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Crane and Tower Operators salary in Duluth: questions
How much do crane and tower operators make an hour in Duluth?
$36.34 an hour on average, and $36.17 at the median (BLS, May 2025).
What is the entry-level crane and tower operators salary in Duluth?
The lowest-paid 10% earn about $51,080 a year and the 25th percentile is $61,420, a fair guide to starting pay.
What is the crane and tower operators take-home pay in Duluth?
About $58,391 a year ($4,866 a month) for a single filer on the average salary of $75,590. Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
Do crane and tower operators earn more in Duluth than elsewhere?
The average here is 5% more than the U.S. average for this job ($72,130).
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; area Duluth, MN-WI (20260). Relative standard error of the mean wage: 5.0%.
- 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.
- Home value: Zillow Home Value Index. Typical-wage figure: OEWS all occupations, same metro.
- Take-home pay: Single filer, standard deduction: federal income tax (2026 brackets), Social Security, Medicare and state income tax (2026 rules). Minnesota Paid Leave premiums are not included.
- Job concentration: location quotient 1.31, this job is 1.3 times as concentrated as in the U.S. overall.
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