Crane operator salary in Georgia
Median $29.83 an hour for 1,370 crane operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
$29.83/hrMedian hourly wageGeorgia, May data
$62,050/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent
$20.05 – $36.9510th to 90th percentilehourly range
1,370Jobs countedemployer survey
Crane operator pay in Georgia: the full range
Georgia ranks 35th of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 40th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $30.98). 1,370 crane operators work in the state. The top 10% earn 1.8× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $20.05 – $23.53 | $41,700 – $48,940 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $23.53 – $36.22 | $48,940 – $75,340 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $36.22 – $36.95 | $75,340 – $76,860 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Crane operator pay by metro in Georgia
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | Cost-of-living adjusted | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | $22.23 | $36.99 | $40.25 | $45.78 | 40 | 24% above |
| Savannah | $24.71 | $34.93 | $36.69 | $36.36 | 160 | 17% above |
| Atlanta | $20.42 | $30.25 | $30.22 | $39.09 | 660 | 1% above |
| Chattanooga | $18.63 | $21.77 | $23.79 | $37.47 | 60 | 27% below |
Cost-of-living adjusted: median divided by the BEA regional price parity for the metro (2024, US = 100).
Crane operator wages in Georgia over time
Table
| Year | Georgia $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $13.29 | $25.68 | $15.29 | 820 |
| 2000 | $15.77 | $29.48 | $15.89 | 1,310 |
| 2001 | $16.85 | $30.63 | $16.64 | 1,240 |
| 2002 | $15.56 | $27.85 | $17.47 | 1,230 |
| 2003 | $17.30 | $30.27 | $17.86 | 1,560 |
| 2004 | $19.27 | $32.84 | $17.99 | 1,790 |
| 2005 | $19.44 | $32.05 | $18.69 | 1,790 |
| 2006 | $19.88 | $31.75 | $18.77 | 1,610 |
| 2007 | $20.27 | $31.47 | $19.36 | 1,300 |
| 2008 | $20.88 | $31.22 | $20.13 | 960 |
| 2009 | $20.89 | $31.35 | $21.22 | 880 |
| 2010 | $20.25 | $29.90 | $22.23 | 790 |
| 2011 | $18.29 | $26.18 | $22.34 | 850 |
| 2012 | $17.68 | $24.79 | $22.73 | 730 |
| 2013 | $17.78 | $24.57 | $23.38 | 710 |
| 2014 | $21.80 | $29.65 | $24.39 | 710 |
| 2015 | $21.37 | $29.03 | $24.83 | 740 |
| 2016 | $22.31 | $29.93 | $25.08 | 750 |
| 2017 | $19.08 | $25.06 | $25.10 | 610 |
| 2018 | $24.50 | $31.41 | $26.03 | 850 |
| 2019 | $25.67 | $32.33 | $27.26 | 1,050 |
| 2020 | $26.16 | $32.54 | $28.71 | 1,280 |
| 2021 | $22.52 | $26.76 | $29.92 | 820 |
| 2022 | $23.27 | $25.60 | $29.49 | 830 |
| 2023 | $30.70 | $32.44 | $31.10 | 1,330 |
| 2024 | $32.32 | $33.17 | $31.91 | 1,780 |
| 2025 | $29.83 | $29.83 | $32.73 | 1,370 |
In today's dollars, the median crane operator wage in Georgia changed by +2.8% over the last ten years of data and by -7.7% since 2019.
Are there more crane operator jobs in Georgia?
0.3Jobs per 1,000 in the stateconcentration 1.0× the US share, 24th of 47 states
BLS counted 1,370 crane operators in Georgia in May 2025, an estimate with a relative standard error of 11%. With fewer than 3,000 jobs or a wide margin of error, year-to-year changes are within the survey's noise and are not shown as a trend.
Outlook for crane operators in Georgia
+6.0%Projected growth in Georgia2024–2034, state agency
160Openings per yeargrowth plus replacements
1,720Jobs in 20241,830 projected for 2034
+3.8%US projected growth2025-35, BLS, for comparison
Georgia's labor market agency projects the number of crane operators in the state to change by +6.0% between 2024 and 2034, from 1,720 to 1,830, with about 160 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.8% over 2025-35. State counts include the self-employed, so the base is larger than the 1,370 counted by the BLS employer survey.
Source: Georgia labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators in Georgia
On federally funded construction in Georgia, contractors must pay crane operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 159 of the 159 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $54.61 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $29.83.
Union contract rateSurvey rate
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260312 |
| Baldwin | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260084 |
| Banks | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Barrow | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Bartow | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260302 |
| Bibb | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260314 |
| Brantley | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260315 |
| Brooks | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260316 |
| Bryan | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260317 |
| Bulloch | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Burke | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260318 |
| Butts | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Candler | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Carroll | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Catoosa | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260319 |
| Chatham | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260317 |
| Chattahoochee | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260320 |
| Chattooga | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Cherokee | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Clarke | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260321 |
| Clayton | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260303 |
| Cobb | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260304 |
| Columbia | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260318 |
| Coweta | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Crawford | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260314 |
| Crisp | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Dade | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260319 |
| Dawson | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| DeKalb | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260305 |
| Dodge | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Dooly | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Dougherty | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260312 |
| Douglas | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Echols | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260316 |
| Effingham | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260317 |
| Elbert | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Emanuel | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Evans | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Fannin | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260107 |
| Fayette | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Floyd | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260306 |
| Forsyth | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Franklin | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260107 |
| Fulton | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260307 |
| Gilmer | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260107 |
| Glascock | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Glynn | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260315 |
| Gordon | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260091 |
| Greene | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Gwinnett | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260308 |
| Habersham | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260092 |
| Hall | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260309 |
| Hancock | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Haralson | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Harris | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260320 |
| Hart | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Heard | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Henry | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Houston | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260322 |
| Jackson | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260093 |
| Jasper | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Jenkins | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Johnson | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Jones | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260314 |
| Lamar | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Lanier | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260316 |
| Lee | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260312 |
| Liberty | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260323 |
| Lincoln | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260318 |
| Long | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260323 |
| Lowndes | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260316 |
| Lumpkin | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| McDuffie | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260318 |
| McIntosh | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260315 |
| Macon | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Madison | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260321 |
| Marion | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260320 |
| Meriwether | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Monroe | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260314 |
| Montgomery | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Morgan | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Murray | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260324 |
| Muscogee | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260310 |
| Newton | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Oconee | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260321 |
| Oglethorpe | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260321 |
| Paulding | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Peach | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260322 |
| Pickens | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Pike | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Polk | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260097 |
| Pulaski | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260322 |
| Putnam | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260098 |
| Rabun | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Richmond | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260311 |
| Rockdale | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Schley | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Screven | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Spalding | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Stephens | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Stewart | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Sumter | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Talbot | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260100 |
| Taliaferro | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Tattnall | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Taylor | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Terrell | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260312 |
| Toombs | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Towns | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260104 |
| Treutlen | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Troup | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260103 |
| Twiggs | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260314 |
| Union | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260107 |
| Upson | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Walker | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260319 |
| Walton | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260313 |
| Warren | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Washington | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Webster | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Wheeler | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| White | Union ENGI0926-034 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260107 |
| Whitfield | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260324 |
| Wilcox | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Wilkes | Union ENGI0926-035 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260105 |
| Wilkinson | Union ENGI0926-036 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260106 |
| Worth | Union ENGI0926-005 2025-08-01 | $38.53 | $16.08 | $54.61 | GA20260312 |
| Appling | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Atkinson | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Bacon | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Ben Hill | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260085 |
| Berrien | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Bleckley | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260086 |
| Calhoun | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Camden | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260087 |
| Charlton | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260088 |
| Clay | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Clinch | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Coffee | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Colquitt | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Cook | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Decatur | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260089 |
| Early | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260090 |
| Grady | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Irwin | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Jeff Davis | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Jefferson | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260094 |
| Laurens | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260095 |
| Miller | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Mitchell | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Pierce | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Quitman | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260099 |
| Randolph | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Seminole | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Telfair | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260101 |
| Thomas | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260166 |
| Tift | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260102 |
| Turner | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260108 |
| Ware | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260108 |
| Wayne | Union ENGI0474-031 2024-07-01 | $32.00 | $17.70 | $49.70 | GA20260108 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Georgia prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Georgia?
233.2kConstruction jobsGeorgia, 2026-09
-1.8%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted
Contractor pay by county
Average pay at specialty trade contractors establishments by county (all employees, not just crane operators), from the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages. Across the 125 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 100,839 in 2015 to 140,632 in 2025, +39.5%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockdale County | 164 | 2,310 | $96,652 | $1,859 |
| Cobb County | 1,344 | 21,265 | $92,633 | $1,781 |
| Fulton County | 1,718 | 11,203 | $91,591 | $1,761 |
| Jackson County | 191 | 1,137 | $88,899 | $1,710 |
| Carroll County | 207 | 2,476 | $88,363 | $1,699 |
| DeKalb County | 590 | 6,686 | $88,283 | $1,698 |
| Wilkes County | 12 | 388 | $88,204 | $1,696 |
| Forsyth County | 522 | 5,666 | $87,501 | $1,683 |
| Clayton County | 187 | 2,232 | $86,869 | $1,671 |
| Gwinnett County | 2,169 | 18,291 | $84,502 | $1,625 |
| Troup County | 100 | 1,138 | $83,713 | $1,610 |
| Heard County | 18 | 134 | $80,120 | $1,541 |
| Douglas County | 239 | 2,071 | $78,133 | $1,503 |
| Fayette County | 231 | 1,882 | $78,034 | $1,501 |
| Barrow County | 171 | 1,360 | $77,024 | $1,481 |
| Upson County | 28 | 168 | $76,384 | $1,469 |
| Cherokee County | 658 | 4,361 | $76,340 | $1,468 |
| Bibb County | 149 | 1,614 | $76,264 | $1,467 |
| Newton County | 194 | 1,635 | $75,323 | $1,449 |
| Bartow County | 272 | 1,704 | $74,186 | $1,427 |
| Crisp County | 17 | 281 | $73,617 | $1,416 |
| Chatham County | 423 | 4,593 | $73,288 | $1,409 |
| Hall County | 416 | 3,293 | $72,241 | $1,389 |
| Meriwether County | 39 | 594 | $72,008 | $1,385 |
| Polk County | 56 | 394 | $71,854 | $1,382 |
| Lumpkin County | 57 | 403 | $71,457 | $1,374 |
| Clarke County | 103 | 1,236 | $70,423 | $1,354 |
| Evans County | 20 | 167 | $70,418 | $1,354 |
| Lamar County | 34 | 156 | $70,382 | $1,353 |
| Peach County | 50 | 463 | $70,131 | $1,349 |
| Walton County | 281 | 1,997 | $69,917 | $1,345 |
| Henry County | 280 | 1,422 | $69,545 | $1,337 |
| Dougherty County | 80 | 977 | $69,411 | $1,335 |
| Spalding County | 88 | 491 | $69,313 | $1,333 |
| Early County | 12 | 72 | $69,249 | $1,332 |
| Telfair County | 6 | 44 | $69,144 | $1,330 |
| Butts County | 46 | 377 | $69,074 | $1,328 |
| Terrell County | 8 | 60 | $69,009 | $1,327 |
| Bryan County | 72 | 583 | $67,517 | $1,298 |
| Haralson County | 63 | 447 | $67,502 | $1,298 |
| Coweta County | 209 | 1,373 | $67,235 | $1,293 |
| Jones County | 45 | 290 | $66,951 | $1,288 |
| Greene County | 40 | 229 | $66,808 | $1,285 |
| Pike County | 62 | 627 | $66,644 | $1,282 |
| Washington County | 15 | 327 | $66,392 | $1,277 |
| Morgan County | 64 | 320 | $66,145 | $1,272 |
| Oconee County | 86 | 511 | $66,112 | $1,271 |
| Paulding County | 334 | 2,089 | $66,020 | $1,270 |
| Dawson County | 72 | 362 | $65,895 | $1,267 |
| Walker County | 60 | 444 | $65,732 | $1,264 |
| Lowndes County | 176 | 1,980 | $65,539 | $1,260 |
| Ben Hill County | 11 | 58 | $64,896 | $1,248 |
| Berrien County | 13 | 91 | $64,658 | $1,243 |
| Taylor County | 11 | 74 | $64,593 | $1,242 |
| Pickens County | 75 | 537 | $64,443 | $1,239 |
| Jenkins County | 5 | 16 | $63,719 | $1,225 |
| Baldwin County | 36 | 220 | $63,396 | $1,219 |
| Camden County | 66 | 336 | $63,249 | $1,216 |
| Effingham County | 119 | 781 | $62,970 | $1,211 |
| Schley County | 5 | 28 | $62,665 | $1,205 |
| Bulloch County | 112 | 808 | $62,580 | $1,203 |
| Whitfield County | 148 | 967 | $62,217 | $1,196 |
| Oglethorpe County | 36 | 209 | $61,982 | $1,192 |
| Lincoln County | 9 | 93 | $61,654 | $1,186 |
| Dodge County | 23 | 190 | $61,232 | $1,178 |
| Columbia County | 257 | 2,070 | $60,788 | $1,169 |
| Gilmer County | 68 | 246 | $60,311 | $1,160 |
| Fannin County | 48 | 284 | $60,105 | $1,156 |
| White County | 66 | 459 | $60,085 | $1,155 |
| Cook County | 26 | 268 | $60,022 | $1,154 |
| Richmond County | 202 | 1,779 | $59,719 | $1,148 |
| Wayne County | 58 | 610 | $59,695 | $1,148 |
| Muscogee County | 194 | 1,869 | $59,552 | $1,145 |
| Burke County | 27 | 140 | $59,466 | $1,144 |
| Lee County | 58 | 650 | $59,124 | $1,137 |
| Laurens County | 59 | 532 | $59,059 | $1,136 |
| Hart County | 44 | 290 | $58,723 | $1,129 |
| Gordon County | 74 | 428 | $58,358 | $1,122 |
| Floyd County | 94 | 630 | $58,305 | $1,121 |
| Banks County | 30 | 158 | $58,226 | $1,120 |
| Franklin County | 39 | 258 | $58,058 | $1,116 |
| Catoosa County | 88 | 634 | $58,055 | $1,116 |
| Monroe County | 57 | 506 | $58,046 | $1,116 |
| Houston County | 136 | 1,125 | $58,024 | $1,116 |
| McDuffie County | 36 | 231 | $57,106 | $1,098 |
| Madison County | 75 | 359 | $57,003 | $1,096 |
| Glynn County | 164 | 945 | $56,970 | $1,096 |
| Putnam County | 69 | 369 | $56,731 | $1,091 |
| Grady County | 42 | 230 | $56,313 | $1,083 |
| Tift County | 41 | 230 | $56,241 | $1,082 |
| Decatur County | 43 | 270 | $56,181 | $1,080 |
| Jefferson County | 29 | 170 | $55,677 | $1,071 |
| Habersham County | 65 | 289 | $55,349 | $1,064 |
| Thomas County | 64 | 426 | $55,223 | $1,062 |
| Brooks County | 12 | 70 | $55,104 | $1,060 |
| Appling County | 26 | 330 | $54,394 | $1,046 |
| Chattooga County | 33 | 190 | $54,097 | $1,040 |
| Pulaski County | 11 | 78 | $54,007 | $1,039 |
| Brantley County | 30 | 178 | $53,721 | $1,033 |
| Mitchell County | 21 | 116 | $53,437 | $1,028 |
| Crawford County | 18 | 78 | $53,046 | $1,020 |
| Jasper County | 35 | 116 | $52,894 | $1,017 |
| Harris County | 64 | 408 | $52,893 | $1,017 |
| Stephens County | 39 | 178 | $52,284 | $1,005 |
| Rabun County | 58 | 319 | $52,277 | $1,005 |
| Charlton County | 8 | 56 | $52,241 | $1,005 |
| Candler County | 22 | 153 | $51,698 | $994 |
| Towns County | 25 | 130 | $51,246 | $985 |
| Coffee County | 46 | 434 | $51,215 | $985 |
| Tattnall County | 27 | 186 | $51,151 | $984 |
| Sumter County | 28 | 195 | $50,765 | $976 |
| Emanuel County | 20 | 166 | $50,629 | $974 |
| Liberty County | 36 | 193 | $49,567 | $953 |
| Screven County | 22 | 158 | $49,216 | $946 |
| Ware County | 43 | 284 | $48,748 | $937 |
| Union County | 63 | 198 | $47,773 | $919 |
| Toombs County | 28 | 127 | $47,439 | $912 |
| Lanier County | 10 | 45 | $47,257 | $909 |
| Bleckley County | 10 | 45 | $46,249 | $889 |
| Elbert County | 34 | 113 | $45,593 | $877 |
| Worth County | 20 | 91 | $44,645 | $859 |
| Bacon County | 7 | 14 | $43,935 | $845 |
| Dade County | 15 | 115 | $43,895 | $844 |
| Randolph County | 6 | 13 | $43,719 | $841 |
| Pierce County | 36 | 266 | $43,309 | $833 |
| Murray County | 30 | 124 | $42,724 | $822 |
| Colquitt County | 58 | 270 | $42,680 | $821 |
| Talbot County | 7 | 124 | $42,222 | $812 |
| McIntosh County | 18 | 114 | $41,663 | $801 |
| Long County | 12 | 81 | $33,303 | $640 |
| Atkinson County | — | — | — | — |
| Calhoun County | — | — | — | — |
| Chattahoochee County | — | — | — | — |
| Clay County | — | — | — | — |
| Clinch County | — | — | — | — |
| Dooly County | — | — | — | — |
| Echols County | — | — | — | — |
| Glascock County | — | — | — | — |
| Hancock County | — | — | — | — |
| Irwin County | — | — | — | — |
| Jeff Davis County | — | — | — | — |
| Johnson County | — | — | — | — |
| Macon County | — | — | — | — |
| Marion County | — | — | — | — |
| Miller County | — | — | — | — |
| Montgomery County | — | — | — | — |
| Seminole County | — | — | — | — |
| Stewart County | — | — | — | — |
| Treutlen County | — | — | — | — |
| Turner County | — | — | — | — |
| Twiggs County | — | — | — | — |
| Warren County | — | — | — | — |
| Wheeler County | — | — | — | — |
| Wilcox County | — | — | — | — |
| Wilkinson County | — | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Crane operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Georgia
More on Georgia
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make in Georgia?
The median crane operator in Georgia earned $29.83 an hour ($62,050 a year) in May 2025, 9% below the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $23.53–$36.22; the top 10% earn more than $36.95.
Where does Georgia rank for crane operator pay?
Georgia ranks 35th of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $29.83 an hour, and 40th after adjusting for Georgia's cost of living (BEA price parity 96.3, US = 100).
What is the union crane operator rate in Georgia?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for crane operators in 159 counties, with a typical package of $54.61 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many crane operators work in Georgia?
BLS counted 1,370 crane operators in Georgia in May 2025, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.02; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is crane operator work growing in Georgia?
Georgia's labor market agency projects +6.0% growth for crane operators between 2024 and 2034, from 1,720 to 1,830 jobs.
How many crane operator openings a year are there in Georgia?
Georgia projects about 160 openings a year for crane operators over 2024–2034, counting both new positions and replacements for people who retire or change occupation. Nationally BLS projects about 3,500 a year.
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Georgia and metro areas, SOC 53-7021. Job counts are survey estimates and exclude the self-employed.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-09.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities, 2024 (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Not the official determination.
- BLS Employment Projections, national, 2025-35.
- State projection: Georgia labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.