SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — Rockford
Rockford, IL · 1 metro areas compared
The median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Rockford, IL is $49,400 per year, substantially below the national median of $68,080 — a gap of 27.4%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Rockford, IL is $49,400 per year, substantially below the national median of $68,080 — a gap of 27.4%. Half of workers earn between $38,570 and $60,690. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,090 and the ninetieth at $77,540.
The area has 40 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 0.3 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, Chicago records the highest median at $55,890. Of the 329 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 192nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,090 | −44.1% |
| 25th | $38,570 | −43.3% |
| Median (50th) | $49,400 | −27.4% |
| 75th | $60,690 | −10.9% |
| 90th | $77,540 | +13.9% |
| Mean | $51,430 | −24.5% |
Other metro areas in Illinois
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chicago | $55,890 | 1,880 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Rockford sit close to the national average, so $49,400 is worth roughly its face value against pay elsewhere.
Published median
$49,400as reported by BLSLocal price level
100.0US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,400US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $49,400 a year, 27.4% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,090 to $77,540 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 40 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Chicago, at $55,890.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in Rockford, IL?
The median annual wage is $49,400, or $23.75 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 Rockford, IL is 27.4% 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 Rockford, IL earns more than $77,540 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,090 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 Chicago, at $55,890 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 40 jobs in this occupation in Rockford, IL. 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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