SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — Roanoke
Roanoke, VA · 3 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Roanoke, VA is $52,540 a year, trailing the national median of $68,080 by 22.8%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Roanoke, VA is $52,540 a year, trailing the national median of $68,080 by 22.8%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $43,990 and $63,260. The lowest tenth earn under $35,990, while the highest tenth earn more than $80,980.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Virginia Beach records the highest median at $71,400. Of the 388 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 196th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $35,990 | −47.1% |
| 25th | $43,990 | −35.4% |
| Median (50th) | $52,540 | −22.8% |
| 75th | $63,260 | −7.1% |
| 90th | $80,980 | +18.9% |
| Mean | $57,380 | −15.7% |
Other metro areas in Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Virginia Beach | $71,400 | 430 | |
| 2 | Winchester | $63,480 | 40 | |
| 3 | Richmond | $61,180 | 170 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Roanoke sit close to the national average, so $52,540 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$52,540as reported by BLSLocal price level
101.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,968US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,540 a year, 22.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $35,990 to $80,980 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Virginia Beach, at $71,400.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Roanoke, VA?
The median annual wage is $52,540, or $25.26 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 Roanoke, VA is 22.8% 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 Roanoke, VA earns more than $80,980 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $35,990 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 Virginia Beach, at $71,400 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Roanoke, VA. 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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