SOC 53-7021 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Crane and Tower Operators — West Virginia
West Virginia · 1 metro areas compared
In West Virginia the median wage is $54,830.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In West Virginia the median wage is $54,830. That is 19.5% lower than the national median of $68,080. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,720 and $59,810. The lowest tenth earn under $36,260, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,090.
Employment stands at 170, or 0.2 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 50 states with published data for this occupation, West Virginia ranks 47th by median wage. Huntington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $56,780. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 280th of 618 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,260 | −46.7% |
| 25th | $39,720 | −41.7% |
| Median (50th) | $54,830 | −19.5% |
| 75th | $59,810 | −12.1% |
| 90th | $72,090 | +5.9% |
| Mean | $54,450 | −20.0% |
Highest-paying metro areas in West Virginia
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Huntington | $56,780 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in West Virginia run 10.5% below the national average, so the median of $54,830 goes as far as $61,263 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 10.0% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$54,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
89.5US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$61,263US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $54,830 a year, 19.5% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,260 to $72,090 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 170 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 47th of 50 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Huntington, at $56,780.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Crane and Tower Operators in West Virginia?
The median annual wage is $54,830, or $26.36 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 West Virginia is 19.5% 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 West Virginia earns more than $72,090 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,260 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 Huntington, at $56,780 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 170 jobs in this occupation in West Virginia. 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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