SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · United States
Crane and Tower Operators
National figures, with pay broken out by state and metro area
The median wage for Crane and Tower Operators across the United States is $68,080 per year, measured over 42,890 jobs. The highest state median is in Hawaii, at $124,260.
National wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Where the pay is highest for Crane and Tower Operators
Pay for this occupation varies by 198.7% between the highest and lowest paying states with published data. Hawaii pays $124,260 and Arkansas pays $41,600.
| # | State | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $124,260 | 190 | |
| 2 | Nevada | $115,840 | 380 | |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $104,340 | — | |
| 4 | Washington | $101,110 | 1,030 | |
| 5 | New Jersey | $100,640 | 1,000 | |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $98,150 | 680 | |
| 7 | Alaska | $92,490 | 50 | |
| 8 | Maryland | $87,950 | — | |
| 9 | New York | $85,850 | 1,150 | |
| 10 | Oregon | $83,260 | 340 |
States with the most Crane and Tower Operators jobs
| # | State | Jobs | Median | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Texas | 6,010 | $73,280 | |
| 2 | Florida | 2,570 | $71,560 | |
| 3 | Indiana | 2,300 | $52,950 | |
| 4 | California | 2,130 | $79,570 | |
| 5 | Louisiana | 1,930 | $61,170 | |
| 6 | Ohio | 1,780 | $57,620 | |
| 7 | Pennsylvania | 1,630 | $65,190 | |
| 8 | Georgia | 1,370 | $62,050 | |
| 9 | Michigan | 1,310 | $59,740 | |
| 10 | Alabama | 1,280 | $60,790 |
Top-paying metro areas
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Vegas | $131,690 | — |
| 2 | Worcester | $122,260 | 110 |
| 3 | Urban Honolulu | $120,560 | 170 |
| 4 | Kennewick | $120,310 | 40 |
| 5 | Mount Vernon | $116,840 | 70 |
| 6 | Seattle | $114,330 | 570 |
| 7 | Reno | $101,160 | — |
| 8 | New York | $100,640 | 1,500 |
| 9 | Minneapolis | $99,540 | 180 |
| 10 | Bremerton | $99,320 | 110 |
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.