SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — South Central Tennessee
South Central Tennessee nonmetropolitan area · 5 metro areas compared
Median pay in South Central Tennessee, TN is $48,460 a year, 28.8% 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 South Central Tennessee, TN is $48,460 a year, 28.8% under the national median of $68,080 for this occupation. Half of workers earn between $48,460 and $57,850. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,860 and the ninetieth at $78,920.
The area has 30 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.07 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Nashville leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $76,750. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 153rd of 322 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,860 | −41.5% |
| 25th | $48,460 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $48,460 | −28.8% |
| 75th | $57,850 | −15.0% |
| 90th | $78,920 | +15.9% |
| Mean | $55,330 | −18.7% |
Other metro areas in Tennessee
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nashville | $76,750 | 210 | |
| 2 | Jackson | $59,410 | 70 | |
| 3 | Knoxville | $58,670 | 110 | |
| 4 | Memphis | $53,600 | 110 | |
| 5 | Chattanooga | $45,280 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Central Tennessee run 8.1% below the national average, so the median of $48,460 goes as far as $52,731 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 22.5% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
91.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,731US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,460 a year, 28.8% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,860 to $78,920 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 30 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Nashville, at $76,750.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in South Central Tennessee, TN?
The median annual wage is $48,460, or $23.30 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 South Central Tennessee, TN is 28.8% 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 South Central Tennessee, TN earns more than $78,920 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,860 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 Nashville, at $76,750 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 30 jobs in this occupation in South Central Tennessee, TN. 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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