Crane operator salary: what crane and tower operators actually make
BLS employer-survey wages for 42,890 crane and tower operators nationwide, plus the union scale contractors must pay on federal jobs.
What crane and tower operators earn: the full range
The middle half of crane and tower operators earn between $25.29 and $40.00 an hour. The top 10% earn more than $49.79 ($103,570 a year); the bottom 10% earn less than $20.50.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $20.50 – $25.29 | $42,640 – $52,600 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $25.29 – $40.00 | $52,600 – $83,200 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $40.00 – $49.79 | $83,200 – $103,570 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Career-stage bands are an approximate reading of the wage distribution, not a BLS classification. Union journeyman scale by county is in the prevailing-wage section below.
Crane operator pay by state
Table
| State | Median $/hr | vs US |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59.74 | 83% above |
| Nevada | $55.69 | 70% above |
| Rhode Island | $50.16 | 53% above |
| Washington | $48.61 | 49% above |
| New Jersey | $48.39 | 48% above |
| Massachusetts | $47.19 | 44% above |
| Alaska | $44.47 | 36% above |
| Maryland | $42.28 | 29% above |
| New York | $41.27 | 26% above |
| Oregon | $40.03 | 22% above |
| North Dakota | $39.85 | 22% above |
| Montana | $39.81 | 22% above |
| Connecticut | $39.12 | 20% above |
| Minnesota | $38.91 | 19% above |
| California | $38.25 | 17% above |
| Wyoming | $37.49 | 15% above |
| Colorado | $37.08 | 13% above |
| Kansas | $37.07 | 13% above |
| Texas | $35.23 | 8% above |
| Vermont | $34.98 | 7% above |
| Florida | $34.40 | 5% above |
| South Dakota | $34.13 | 4% above |
| Wisconsin | $32.56 | 1% below |
| Iowa | $32.50 | 1% below |
| Utah | $32.41 | 1% below |
| Arizona | $32.38 | 1% below |
| Virginia | $32.02 | 2% below |
| Maine | $31.58 | 4% below |
| Pennsylvania | $31.34 | 4% below |
| North Carolina | $31.00 | 5% below |
| South Carolina | $30.83 | 6% below |
| Oklahoma | $30.57 | 7% below |
| New Hampshire | $30.44 | 7% below |
| New Mexico | $30.00 | 8% below |
| Georgia | $29.83 | 9% below |
| Kentucky | $29.81 | 9% below |
| Illinois | $29.72 | 9% below |
| Mississippi | $29.45 | 10% below |
| Louisiana | $29.41 | 10% below |
| Alabama | $29.22 | 11% below |
| Nebraska | $29.19 | 11% below |
| Delaware | $28.92 | 12% below |
| Michigan | $28.72 | 12% below |
| Tennessee | $28.56 | 13% below |
| Missouri | $28.10 | 14% below |
| Ohio | $27.70 | 15% below |
| West Virginia | $26.36 | 19% below |
| Indiana | $25.46 | 22% below |
| Idaho | $25.37 | 22% below |
| Arkansas | $20.00 | 39% below |
| State | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | Adjusted rank | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $59.74 | $54.31 | #2 | 190 |
| Nevada | $55.69 | $55.69 | #1 | 380 |
| Rhode Island | $50.16 | $49.03 | #3 | — |
| Washington | $48.61 | $45.43 | #4 | 1,030 |
| New Jersey | $48.39 | $44.48 | #7 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $47.19 | $44.60 | #6 | 680 |
| Alaska | $44.47 | $43.43 | #8 | 50 |
| Maryland | $42.28 | $40.27 | #12 | — |
| New York | $41.27 | $38.25 | #16 | 1,150 |
| Oregon | $40.03 | $38.71 | #14 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $39.85 | $44.78 | #5 | 180 |
| Montana | $39.81 | $42.08 | #9 | 30 |
| Connecticut | $39.12 | $37.76 | #17 | 220 |
| Minnesota | $38.91 | $39.46 | #13 | 370 |
| California | $38.25 | $34.55 | #24 | 2,130 |
| Wyoming | $37.49 | $40.44 | #11 | 230 |
| Colorado | $37.08 | $35.97 | #20 | 470 |
| Kansas | $37.07 | $41.14 | #10 | 780 |
| Texas | $35.23 | $36.28 | #19 | 6,010 |
| Vermont | $34.98 | $35.69 | #21 | 170 |
| Florida | $34.40 | $33.27 | #27 | 2,570 |
| South Dakota | $34.13 | $38.52 | #15 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $32.56 | $34.60 | #23 | 440 |
| Iowa | $32.50 | $37.02 | #18 | 650 |
| Utah | $32.41 | $32.77 | #32 | 440 |
| Arizona | $32.38 | $32.15 | #36 | 930 |
| Virginia | $32.02 | $31.67 | #38 | 1,120 |
| Maine | $31.58 | $32.56 | #33 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $31.34 | $32.11 | #37 | 1,630 |
| North Carolina | $31.00 | $32.87 | #31 | 1,050 |
| South Carolina | $30.83 | $32.90 | #30 | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $30.57 | $34.82 | #22 | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $30.44 | $29.21 | #46 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $30.00 | $32.54 | #34 | 290 |
| Georgia | $29.83 | $30.98 | #40 | 1,370 |
| Kentucky | $29.81 | $33.05 | #28 | 640 |
| Illinois | $29.72 | $29.72 | #44 | 1,220 |
| Mississippi | $29.45 | $33.85 | #25 | 550 |
| Louisiana | $29.41 | $33.34 | #26 | 1,930 |
| Alabama | $29.22 | $32.91 | #29 | 1,280 |
| Nebraska | $29.19 | $32.40 | #35 | 410 |
| Delaware | $28.92 | $28.98 | #47 | 220 |
| Michigan | $28.72 | $29.85 | #42 | 1,310 |
| Tennessee | $28.56 | $31.08 | #39 | 660 |
| Missouri | $28.10 | $30.95 | #41 | 630 |
| Ohio | $27.70 | $29.85 | #43 | 1,780 |
| West Virginia | $26.36 | $29.45 | #45 | 170 |
| Indiana | $25.46 | $27.29 | #48 | 2,300 |
| Idaho | $25.37 | $26.57 | #49 | — |
| Arkansas | $20.00 | $23.01 | #50 | 880 |
Crane operator wages over time
Table
| Year | Nominal $/hr | In 2025 $ | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $15.29 | $29.55 | 53,830 |
| 2000 | $15.89 | $29.71 | 55,770 |
| 2001 | $16.64 | $30.25 | 51,650 |
| 2002 | $17.47 | $31.26 | 49,060 |
| 2003 | $17.86 | $31.25 | 47,420 |
| 2004 | $17.99 | $30.66 | 43,570 |
| 2005 | $18.69 | $30.81 | 43,690 |
| 2006 | $18.77 | $29.97 | 45,740 |
| 2007 | $19.36 | $30.06 | 45,720 |
| 2008 | $20.13 | $30.10 | 44,490 |
| 2009 | $21.22 | $31.84 | 40,770 |
| 2010 | $22.23 | $32.82 | 39,510 |
| 2011 | $22.34 | $31.97 | 41,070 |
| 2012 | $22.73 | $31.87 | 43,040 |
| 2013 | $23.38 | $32.31 | 41,580 |
| 2014 | $24.39 | $33.17 | 44,540 |
| 2015 | $24.83 | $33.73 | 46,490 |
| 2016 | $25.08 | $33.64 | 45,020 |
| 2017 | $25.10 | $32.97 | 43,660 |
| 2018 | $26.03 | $33.37 | 44,410 |
| 2019 | $27.26 | $34.33 | 45,480 |
| 2020 | $28.71 | $35.71 | 44,060 |
| 2021 | $29.92 | $35.55 | 43,400 |
| 2022 | $29.49 | $32.44 | 45,210 |
| 2023 | $31.10 | $32.86 | 42,260 |
| 2024 | $31.91 | $32.75 | 42,000 |
| 2025 | $32.73 | $32.73 | 42,890 |
Adjusted for inflation, the median crane operator wage changed by -3.0% over the last ten years.
Highest-paying metros for crane operators
| Metro | Median $/hr | 90th pct | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $54.96 | $65.00 | 570 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $48.38 | $71.55 | 1,500 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $47.19 | $62.40 | 500 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $39.18 | $65.30 | 590 |
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $37.55 | $48.22 | 530 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $36.30 | $47.62 | 2,100 |
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $34.89 | $43.01 | 630 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $34.62 | $59.72 | 790 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $33.00 | $44.20 | 1,310 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $32.06 | $40.37 | 560 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $30.25 | $39.09 | 660 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $28.72 | $48.29 | 650 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $26.87 | $51.81 | 1,880 |
Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators
Federal construction projects must pay the Davis-Bacon rate for each county. Where the rate comes from a union contract it is the local journeyman scale: base wage plus fringe (health, pension, training). Where it comes from a survey, it is often older and lower. This table summarises the Building-construction determination for crane operators in every state.
| State | Counties with a union rate | Typical union package (base + fringe, $/hr) | Typical survey rate | Counties with a rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| California | 100% | $94.77 | — | 53/58 |
| Massachusetts | 100% | $91.53 | — | 12/14 |
| Washington | 61% | $90.45 | $63.67 | 33/39 |
| New York | 72% | $88.62 | $67.68 | 53/62 |
| Connecticut | 100% | $86.59 | — | 7/17 |
| Rhode Island | 100% | $80.52 | — | 5/5 |
| Illinois | 100% | $80.20 | — | 89/102 |
| Pennsylvania | 91% | $78.72 | $73.65 | 35/67 |
| Wisconsin | 100% | $78.42 | — | 72/72 |
| Alaska | 100% | $73.56 | — | 30/30 |
| Michigan | 94% | $72.52 | $26.83 | 83/83 |
| Oregon | 100% | $70.50 | — | 36/36 |
| Missouri | 100% | $69.71 | — | 37/115 |
| Kansas | 30% | $68.31 | $47.35 | 20/105 |
| West Virginia | 100% | $68.26 | — | 55/55 |
| North Dakota | 49% | $65.45 | $42.65 | 53/53 |
| Kentucky | 100% | $61.58 | — | 120/120 |
| Ohio | 90% | $60.55 | $41.38 | 59/88 |
| Iowa | 42% | $58.87 | $27.92 | 99/99 |
| Virginia | 79% | $58.04 | $34.32 | 57/133 |
| Indiana | 100% | $56.90 | — | 49/92 |
| Oklahoma | 100% | $55.19 | — | 77/77 |
| Nebraska | 100% | $55.13 | — | 9/93 |
| Georgia | 100% | $54.61 | — | 159/159 |
| Montana | 77% | $54.20 | $31.45 | 52/56 |
| South Dakota | 100% | $53.09 | — | 58/66 |
| Idaho | 12% | $52.24 | $37.82 | 33/44 |
| Colorado | 100% | $51.29 | — | 17/64 |
| Florida | 100% | $51.10 | — | 67/67 |
| Mississippi | 94% | $50.05 | $24.98 | 16/82 |
| Tennessee | 78% | $49.65 | $29.31 | 95/95 |
| Arizona | 100% | $49.56 | — | 15/15 |
| Arkansas | 73% | $49.25 | $17.52 | 75/75 |
| Alabama | 100% | $46.62 | — | 29/67 |
| Texas | 30% | $45.95 | $21.33 | 254/254 |
| New Mexico | 52% | $36.08 | $28.98 | 25/33 |
| Louisiana | 100% | $31.81 | — | 35/64 |
| Delaware | 0% | — | $48.42 | 3/3 |
| Maryland | 0% | — | $61.10 | 24/24 |
| Maine | 0% | — | $31.44 | 11/16 |
| North Carolina | 0% | — | $21.62 | 54/100 |
| New Hampshire | 0% | — | $31.25 | 3/10 |
| Nevada | 0% | — | $87.93 | 17/17 |
| South Carolina | 0% | — | $21.41 | 21/46 |
| Vermont | 0% | — | $25.58 | 11/14 |
| Wyoming | 0% | — | $66.00 | 23/23 |
Source: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions, Building construction type. Not the official determination; see each state page for county detail and links to the official text.
Job outlook
The BLS Employment Projections program expects crane and tower operators employment to change by +3.8% over 2025-35, with about 3,500 openings a year from growth and people leaving the occupation. Typical entry education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Compare crane operator pay with other trades
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make?
The median crane operator earned $32.73 an hour, or $68,080 a year, in May 2025 according to the BLS employer survey of 42,890 jobs. Half earn more and half earn less; the middle 50% earn between $25.29 and $40.00 an hour.
How much do crane operators make an hour?
Hourly pay runs from about $20.50 at the 10th percentile to $49.79 at the 90th, with a median of $32.73. Overtime, per-diem and union fringe benefits are not included in these figures.
What does a starting or apprentice crane operator make?
Entry-level pay sits near the bottom of the distribution: roughly $20.50 to $25.29 an hour ($42,640 to $52,600 a year). Registered apprentices usually start at a fixed percentage of the local journeyman rate and step up every six to twelve months.
Which state pays crane operators the most?
Hawaii had the highest median at $59.74 an hour in May 2025, followed by Nevada ($55.69) and Rhode Island ($50.16). Adjusted for cost of living the order changes; see the state table.
Are crane operator wages going up?
In today's dollars the median crane operator wage changed by -3.0% over the last ten years of data (CPI-adjusted). The nominal median rose from $24.83 to $32.73.
Is crane operator a good career?
By the numbers: median pay of $68,080 a year, a 90th percentile of $103,570, projected growth of +3.8% and about 3,500 openings a year. Whether it fits you depends on the work itself; this site only reports the pay and demand data.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, SOC 53-7021 (Crane and tower operators). Wages exclude overtime and benefits.
- Inflation adjustment: BLS CPI-U annual averages, 2025 base.
- Cost-of-living adjustment: BEA Regional Price Parities, all items, latest year.
- Prevailing wage: SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national. Public-domain data; Skilled Wages is not affiliated with BLS.