Crane and Tower Operators Salary (2025)
Based on 42,890 employed workers · BLS OEWS May 2025
Salary Percentile Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual |
|---|---|
10th Percentile Bottom 10% | $42,640 |
25th Percentile Lower quarter | $52,600 |
50th PercentileMedian Median | $68,080 |
75th Percentile Upper quarter | $83,200 |
90th Percentile Top 10% | $103,570 |
Salary Distribution
Annual Salary Range
10th
$43K
25th
$53K
Median
$68K
75th
$83K
90th
$104K
Highest Paying States for Crane and Tower Operators
States with highest average wages · BLS May 2025
| State | Annual Mean |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $119,300 |
| New York | $115,400 |
| Nevada | $108,410 |
| New Jersey | $102,380 |
| Washington | $101,600 |
| Massachusetts | $100,260 |
| Rhode Island | $99,690 |
| Alaska | $91,790 |
| Oregon | $91,780 |
| California | $87,030 |
Geographic Salary Variation
Crane and Tower Operators salaries vary significantly across the United States. The highest paying state is Hawaii at an average of $119,300 per year, while California has an average of $87,030 — a difference of $32,270. These geographic differences reflect variations in cost of living, demand, and local labor market conditions.
Highest Paying Metro Areas
Top cities by average annual wage
About Crane and Tower Operators
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 42,890 workers were employed as Crane and Tower Operatorss in the United States as of May 2025. This occupation is classified under Transportation and Material Moving Occupations. The annual mean wage of $72,130 reflects data from employer surveys conducted by BLS.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025 · SOC Code: 53-7021