Crane operator salary in Hawaii
Median $59.74 an hour for 190 crane and tower operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Crane operator pay in Hawaii: the full range
Hawaii ranks 1st of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 2nd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $54.31). 190 crane and tower operators work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $46.46 – $56.80 | $96,640 – $118,140 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $56.80 – $61.45 | $118,140 – $127,820 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $61.45 – $63.09 | $127,820 – $131,220 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Crane operator pay by metro in Hawaii
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu | $46.46 | $57.96 | $63.68 | 170 | 3% below |
Crane operator wages in Hawaii over time
Table
| Year | Hawaii $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $25.72 | $49.70 | $15.29 | 140 |
| 2000 | $30.33 | $56.70 | $15.89 | 150 |
| 2001 | $28.57 | $51.94 | $16.64 | 130 |
| 2003 | $32.78 | $57.35 | $17.86 | 120 |
| 2004 | $27.91 | $47.57 | $17.99 | 110 |
| 2005 | $30.55 | $50.36 | $18.69 | 160 |
| 2006 | $30.04 | $47.97 | $18.77 | 230 |
| 2007 | $31.76 | $49.31 | $19.36 | 210 |
| 2008 | $31.77 | $47.51 | $20.13 | 130 |
| 2009 | $33.78 | $50.69 | $21.22 | 110 |
| 2010 | $34.96 | $51.62 | $22.23 | 130 |
| 2011 | $35.58 | $50.92 | $22.34 | 150 |
| 2012 | $34.71 | $48.67 | $22.73 | 110 |
| 2013 | $35.58 | $49.17 | $23.38 | 120 |
| 2014 | $35.59 | $48.40 | $24.39 | 130 |
| 2015 | $35.95 | $48.83 | $24.83 | 160 |
| 2016 | $36.32 | $48.72 | $25.08 | 190 |
| 2017 | $36.81 | $48.35 | $25.10 | 150 |
| 2018 | $41.46 | $53.16 | $26.03 | 120 |
| 2019 | — | — | $27.26 | 70 |
| 2020 | — | — | $28.71 | 80 |
| 2021 | $47.55 | $56.49 | $29.92 | 90 |
| 2022 | $54.34 | $59.78 | $29.49 | 240 |
| 2023 | $54.57 | $57.66 | $31.10 | 260 |
| 2024 | $55.71 | $57.18 | $31.91 | 220 |
| 2025 | $59.74 | $59.74 | $32.73 | 190 |
In today's dollars, the median crane operator wage in Hawaii changed by +22.3% over the last ten years of data.
Is construction work growing in Hawaii?
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.
| County | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Honolulu County | 15,928 | $92,484 | $1,779 |
| Maui + Kalawao County | 2,336 | $80,950 | $1,557 |
| Hawaii County | — | — | — |
| Kauai County | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Crane operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Hawaii
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make in Hawaii?
The median crane operator in Hawaii earned $59.74 an hour ($124,260 a year) in May 2025, 83% above the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $56.80–$61.45; the top 10% earn more than $63.09.
Where does Hawaii rank for crane operator pay?
Hawaii ranks 1st of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $59.74 an hour, and 2nd after adjusting for Hawaii's cost of living (BEA price parity 110.0, US = 100).
What is the union crane operator rate in Hawaii?
Davis-Bacon determinations do not list a crane operator classification for most Hawaii counties, or the trade is not covered; the BLS wage figures above are the best available measure.
How many crane operators work in Hawaii?
BLS counted 190 crane and tower operators in Hawaii in May 2025, 0.3 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.10; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Hawaii and metro areas, SOC 53-7021.
- BLS Current Employment Statistics, state construction employment through 2026-08.
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025 annual averages.
- BEA Regional Price Parities (cost-of-living adjustment).
- SAM.gov Davis-Bacon wage determinations, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Not the official determination.