How much does a crane and tower operator make?
The median crane and tower operator in the United States earns $66,370 per year, about $31.91 an hour. That is the midpoint of the profession: half of all crane and tower operators earn more, and half earn less.
Source: BLS OEWS, May 2024. SOC code 53-7021.
Crane and tower operator salary range
Pay for crane and tower operators spans a wide band. The lowest paid 10 percent earn under $41,670 a year, while the highest paid 10 percent take home more than $102,400. The average (mean) wage of $71,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $41,670 | $20.03 | Lowest paid |
| 25th percentile | $50,970 | $24.50 | |
| Median (50th) | $66,370 | $31.91 | Midpoint |
| 75th percentile | $81,630 | $39.24 | |
| 90th percentile | $102,400 | $49.23 | Highest paid |
Figures are national wage estimates for crane and tower operators (SOC 53-7021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2024.
Crane and tower operator salary by state
Where you work changes the paycheck. Crane and tower operators earn the most in Nevada at $129,930 a year, and the least in Arkansas at $42,170. The table below lists every state with published data, ranked by median annual salary.
| State | Median annual | Employed |
|---|---|---|
| Nevada | $129,930 | N/A |
| Hawaii | $115,870 | 220 |
| Oregon | $110,280 | 460 |
| New York | $110,000 | 1,330 |
| District of Columbia | $106,150 | 50 |
| Washington | $96,870 | 890 |
| Montana | $91,520 | 90 |
| New Jersey | $88,470 | 740 |
| Connecticut | $86,830 | 260 |
| Alaska | $80,900 | 50 |
| Michigan | $77,110 | 1,210 |
| Massachusetts | $76,640 | 480 |
| Wyoming | $76,110 | 120 |
| North Dakota | $74,880 | 220 |
| Colorado | $74,140 | 600 |
| Vermont | $73,840 | 120 |
| Idaho | $73,480 | N/A |
| Texas | $72,870 | 6,650 |
| Oklahoma | $71,500 | 540 |
| South Dakota | $70,400 | 50 |
| Florida | $70,130 | 2,460 |
| California | $69,970 | 2,010 |
| Utah | $69,020 | 510 |
| Wisconsin | $68,310 | 730 |
| Arizona | $67,960 | 1,110 |
| Minnesota | $67,320 | 170 |
| Georgia | $67,230 | 1,780 |
| Maryland | $66,800 | 310 |
| Nebraska | $66,800 | 290 |
| Virginia | $65,400 | 1,280 |
| Kansas | $64,430 | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $63,410 | 190 |
| Delaware | $62,820 | 70 |
| Mississippi | $62,510 | 770 |
| Ohio | $62,460 | 2,120 |
| North Carolina | $62,060 | 1,100 |
| Maine | $61,320 | 430 |
| Louisiana | $61,130 | 1,750 |
| New Mexico | $60,950 | 110 |
| Indiana | $57,890 | 1,600 |
| Pennsylvania | $57,760 | 1,650 |
| Tennessee | $56,530 | 500 |
| Iowa | $55,620 | 570 |
| South Carolina | $55,410 | 980 |
| Kentucky | $55,100 | 770 |
| West Virginia | $54,650 | 200 |
| Illinois | $53,240 | 1,100 |
| Alabama | $47,620 | 1,170 |
| Missouri | $46,580 | 470 |
| Arkansas | $42,170 | 670 |
State median wages for crane and tower operators (SOC 53-7021), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS state files, May 2024. States where the BLS does not publish a median are not shown.
Job outlook for crane and tower operators
The BLS projects employment of crane and tower operators to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035. That is about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. That works out to roughly 42,900 jobs in 2025 moving toward 44,500 by 2035.
Across the decade, the BLS expects about 3,500 openings a year for crane and tower operators. Most come from the need to replace workers who move to other jobs or leave the workforce, on top of any new positions from growth.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program, 2025-35 (Table 1.2, Occupational projections and worker characteristics).
How to become a crane and tower operator
The typical entry-level education for crane and tower operators is a high school diploma or equivalent, according to the BLS. Most roles also expect less than 5 years of work experience in a related occupation. New hires typically complete moderate-term on-the-job training to reach full competency.
A four-year college degree is usually not required to start, which makes this one of the jobs you can enter without a bachelor's degree. See more high paying jobs without a degree .
Education, training, and experience data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program.
What affects how much a crane and tower operator earns
Route type, employer, endorsements, and hours behind the wheel drive pay. Long-haul, specialized freight, and union employers tend to sit at the top of the range, while local and entry-level roles start lower.
Location is one of the clearest factors. The gap between the top paying state (Nevada, $129,930) and the lowest (Arkansas, $42,170) shows how much geography alone can move the number, before experience or specialization.
About 42,000 people work as crane and tower operators in the United States. At $66,370 a year, the job pays above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs.
Crane and tower operator salary FAQ
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour?
The median hourly wage for a crane and tower operator is $31.91. The middle half of crane and tower operators earn between $24.50 and $39.24 per hour.
What is the highest crane and tower operator salary?
The highest paid 10 percent of crane and tower operators earn more than $102,400 per year. Top earners usually have the most experience and work in the best paying regions and industries.
How much does a crane and tower operator make a year?
The median annual salary for a crane and tower operator is $66,370. The average (mean) wage of $71,560 runs a bit higher than the median, which is normal for jobs where a group of top earners pulls the average up.
Is being a crane and tower operator a well paid job?
At $66,370 a year, a crane and tower operator earns above the $49,500 median for all U.S. jobs. About 42,000 people work as crane and tower operators in the United States.
Which state pays crane and tower operators the most?
Nevada has the highest median salary for crane and tower operators at $129,930 a year. Hawaii ($115,870) and Oregon ($110,280) follow. State medians come from the BLS OEWS state files, May 2024.
Is being a crane and tower operator a good career?
Employment of crane and tower operators is projected to grow 3.8% from 2025 to 2035, about as fast as the 3.5% average for all occupations. The BLS projects about 3,500 openings each year, from growth and from workers leaving the occupation.
Do you need a degree to become a crane and tower operator?
No. The BLS lists the typical entry-level education for crane and tower operators as a high school diploma or equivalent, so a four-year degree is usually not required to start.
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