SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — South Nebraska
South Nebraska nonmetropolitan area · 2 metro areas compared
Median pay in South Nebraska, NE is $46,970 a year, 31.0% 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 Nebraska, NE is $46,970 a year, 31.0% under the national median of $68,080 for this occupation. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $45,760 and $67,780. The lowest tenth earn under $44,610, while the highest tenth earn more than $68,460.
The area has 50 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 1.19 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Lincoln records the highest median at $77,500. Of the 411 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 266th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $44,610 | −34.5% |
| 25th | $45,760 | −32.8% |
| Median (50th) | $46,970 | −31.0% |
| 75th | $67,780 | −0.4% |
| 90th | $68,460 | +0.6% |
| Mean | $54,620 | −19.8% |
Other metro areas in Nebraska
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in South Nebraska run 9.9% below the national average, so the median of $46,970 goes as far as $52,131 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 23.4% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,970as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$52,131US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,970 a year, 31.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $44,610 to $68,460 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 50 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lincoln, at $77,500.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in South Nebraska, NE?
The median annual wage is $46,970, or $22.58 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 Nebraska, NE is 31.0% 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 Nebraska, NE earns more than $68,460 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $44,610 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 Lincoln, at $77,500 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 50 jobs in this occupation in South Nebraska, NE. 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.
Explore related data