SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — Eastern New Mexico
Eastern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 1 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $62,400 a year, trailing the national median of $68,080 by 8.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM is $62,400 a year, trailing the national median of $68,080 by 8.3%. Half of workers earn between $62,400 and $62,400. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $62,400 and the ninetieth at $62,400.
Las Cruces leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $81,830. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 150th of 370 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $62,400 | −8.3% |
| 25th | $62,400 | −8.3% |
| Median (50th) | $62,400 | −8.3% |
| 75th | $62,400 | −8.3% |
| 90th | $62,400 | −8.3% |
| Mean | $62,160 | −8.7% |
Other metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Las Cruces | $81,830 | 50 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Eastern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $62,400 goes as far as $67,679 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 0.6% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$62,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$67,679US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $62,400 a year, 8.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $62,400 to $62,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Las Cruces, at $81,830.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Eastern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $62,400, or $30.00 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $68,080, so pay in Eastern New Mexico, NM is 8.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Eastern New Mexico, NM earns more than $62,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $62,400 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Las Cruces, at $81,830 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. 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.
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