Crane and Tower Operators Salary in the United States
As of May 2025, the median annual wage for crane and tower operators in the United States was $68,080 ($32.73 per hour), according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OES survey.
Annual Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,640 | $20.50 |
| 25th | $52,600 | $25.29 |
| Median | $68,080 | $32.73 |
| 75th | $83,200 | $40.00 |
| 90th | $103,570 | $49.79 |
Quick Facts
- Occupational code: 53-7021
- Total U.S. employment: 42,890
- Jobs per 1,000: —
- Hourly salary breakdown
- All-state comparison
What the data says
For career planning: entry-level pay (10th percentile) is about $42,640, median pay is $68,080, and experienced pay (90th percentile) reaches $103,570.
At $32.73 per hour, a full-time schedule (2,080 hours per year) works out to roughly $68,078 — in line with the reported median annual wage of $68,080.
Crane and Tower Operators Salary by State
The table below ranks every state by median annual wage. Click a state for detailed local data.
| State | Median Annual | Median Hourly | vs National | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $60,790 | $29.22 | -10.7% | 1,280 |
| Alaska | $92,490 | $44.47 | +35.9% | 50 |
| Arizona | $67,350 | $32.38 | -1.1% | 930 |
| Arkansas | $41,600 | $20.00 | -38.9% | 880 |
| California | $79,570 | $38.25 | +16.9% | 2,130 |
| Colorado | $77,120 | $37.08 | +13.3% | 470 |
| Connecticut | $81,360 | $39.12 | +19.5% | 220 |
| Delaware | $60,160 | $28.92 | -11.6% | 220 |
| Florida | $71,560 | $34.40 | +5.1% | 2,570 |
| Georgia | $62,050 | $29.83 | -8.9% | 1,370 |
| Hawaii | $124,260 | $59.74 | +82.5% | 190 |
| Idaho | $52,770 | $25.37 | -22.5% | 0 |
| Illinois | $61,820 | $29.72 | -9.2% | 1,220 |
| Indiana | $52,950 | $25.46 | -22.2% | 2,300 |
| Iowa | $67,600 | $32.50 | -0.7% | 650 |
| Kansas | $77,100 | $37.07 | +13.2% | 780 |
| Kentucky | $62,000 | $29.81 | -8.9% | 640 |
| Louisiana | $61,170 | $29.41 | -10.1% | 1,930 |
| Maine | $65,690 | $31.58 | -3.5% | 360 |
| Maryland | $87,950 | $42.28 | +29.2% | 0 |
| Massachusetts | $98,150 | $47.19 | +44.2% | 680 |
| Michigan | $59,740 | $28.72 | -12.3% | 1,310 |
| Minnesota | $80,930 | $38.91 | +18.9% | 370 |
| Mississippi | $61,260 | $29.45 | -10.0% | 550 |
| Missouri | $58,450 | $28.10 | -14.1% | 630 |
| Montana | $82,800 | $39.81 | +21.6% | 30 |
| Nebraska | $60,720 | $29.19 | -10.8% | 410 |
| Nevada | $115,840 | $55.69 | +70.2% | 380 |
| New Hampshire | $63,310 | $30.44 | -7.0% | 170 |
| New Jersey | $100,640 | $48.39 | +47.8% | 1,000 |
| New Mexico | $62,400 | $30.00 | -8.3% | 290 |
| New York | $85,850 | $41.27 | +26.1% | 1,150 |
| North Carolina | $64,480 | $31.00 | -5.3% | 1,050 |
| North Dakota | $82,890 | $39.85 | +21.8% | 180 |
| Ohio | $57,620 | $27.70 | -15.4% | 1,780 |
| Oklahoma | $63,590 | $30.57 | -6.6% | 620 |
| Oregon | $83,260 | $40.03 | +22.3% | 340 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,190 | $31.34 | -4.2% | 1,630 |
| Rhode Island | $104,340 | $50.16 | +53.3% | 0 |
| South Carolina | $64,120 | $30.83 | -5.8% | 720 |
| South Dakota | $71,000 | $34.13 | +4.3% | 120 |
| Tennessee | $59,410 | $28.56 | -12.7% | 660 |
| Texas | $73,280 | $35.23 | +7.6% | 6,010 |
| Utah | $67,410 | $32.41 | -1.0% | 440 |
| Vermont | $72,760 | $34.98 | +6.9% | 170 |
| Virginia | $66,600 | $32.02 | -2.2% | 1,120 |
| Washington | $101,110 | $48.61 | +48.5% | 1,030 |
| West Virginia | $54,830 | $26.36 | -19.5% | 170 |
| Wisconsin | $67,720 | $32.56 | -0.5% | 440 |
| Wyoming | $77,970 | $37.49 | +14.5% | 230 |
Data source: BLS OES state file · U.S. BLS OES survey, May 2025
Related Occupations
- Preschool Teachers, Except Special Education — $38,140/yr
- Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators — $59,850/yr
- Dishwashers — $34,810/yr
- Pharmacy Technicians — $45,750/yr
- Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — $63,800/yr
- Executive Secretaries and Executive Administrative Assistants — $76,590/yr
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for crane and tower operators?
The median annual wage for crane and tower operators is $68,080 ($32.73 per hour), according to the BLS OES survey for May 2025.
Which state pays crane and tower operators the most?
Wages vary by state. Use the state table above to compare median annual pay across all 50 states and Washington, D.C.
How many crane and tower operators are employed in the U.S.?
There are approximately 42,890 crane and tower operators employed nationally, per BLS OES.
How much do crane and tower operators make per hour?
The median hourly wage is $32.73. See the hourly salary page for the full percentile breakdown.