SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — Northwestern Pennsylvania
Northwestern Pennsylvania nonmetropolitan area · 8 metro areas compared
Median pay in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $48,940 a year, 28.1% under the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is $48,940 a year, 28.1% under the national median of $68,080 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $44,590 and $57,920. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $41,300 and the ninetieth at $70,870.
The area has 80 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.84 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Reading leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $98,860. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 202nd of 373 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $41,300 | −39.3% |
| 25th | $44,590 | −34.5% |
| Median (50th) | $48,940 | −28.1% |
| 75th | $57,920 | −14.9% |
| 90th | $70,870 | +4.1% |
| Mean | $52,030 | −23.6% |
Other metro areas in Pennsylvania
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Reading | $98,860 | 60 | |
| 2 | Lancaster | $72,150 | 80 | |
| 3 | Philadelphia | $72,010 | 790 | |
| 4 | Scranton | $71,770 | 50 | |
| 5 | York | $63,680 | 60 | |
| 6 | Allentown | $63,190 | 90 | |
| 7 | Pittsburgh | $61,510 | 330 | |
| 8 | Harrisburg | $51,450 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Northwestern Pennsylvania run 2.4% below the national average, so the median of $48,940 goes as far as $50,143 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 26.3% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
97.6US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$50,143US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,940 a year, 28.1% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $41,300 to $70,870 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 80 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Reading, at $98,860.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA?
The median annual wage is $48,940, or $23.53 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 Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA is 28.1% 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 Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA earns more than $70,870 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $41,300 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 Reading, at $98,860 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 80 jobs in this occupation in Northwestern Pennsylvania, PA. Self-employed workers are not included.
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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