Crane operator salary in Idaho
Median $25.37 an hour for — crane operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county, the job trend since 1999 and the state's own outlook.
Crane operator pay in Idaho: the full range
Idaho ranks 49th of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 49th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $26.57). — crane operators work in the state. The top 10% earn 2.2× what the bottom 10% earn.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry level | $22.58 – $23.67 | $46,970 – $49,220 | roughly the 10th to 25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $23.67 – $37.66 | $49,220 – $78,320 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master, foreman or specialist | $37.66 – $50.11 | $78,320 – $104,240 | the 75th to 90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Crane operator pay by metro in Idaho
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boise | $23.67 | $29.06 | $50.11 | — | 15% above |
Crane operator wages in Idaho over time
Table
| Year | Idaho $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.70 | $28.41 | $15.29 | 160 |
| 2000 | $15.29 | $28.59 | $15.89 | 230 |
| 2001 | $16.17 | $29.39 | $16.64 | 190 |
| 2002 | $17.22 | $30.82 | $17.47 | 250 |
| 2003 | $17.38 | $30.41 | $17.86 | 240 |
| 2004 | $17.13 | $29.19 | $17.99 | 110 |
| 2005 | $16.64 | $27.43 | $18.69 | 120 |
| 2006 | $16.03 | $25.60 | $18.77 | 120 |
| 2007 | $16.35 | $25.39 | $19.36 | 60 |
| 2008 | $22.12 | $33.08 | $20.13 | 120 |
| 2009 | $21.58 | $32.38 | $21.22 | 90 |
| 2010 | $21.90 | $32.33 | $22.23 | 80 |
| 2011 | $17.87 | $25.58 | $22.34 | 60 |
| 2012 | $21.53 | $30.19 | $22.73 | 90 |
| 2013 | $23.96 | $33.11 | $23.38 | 130 |
| 2014 | $25.89 | $35.21 | $24.39 | 120 |
| 2015 | $25.66 | $34.85 | $24.83 | 90 |
| 2016 | $22.88 | $30.69 | $25.08 | 130 |
| 2017 | $24.56 | $32.26 | $25.10 | 220 |
| 2018 | $25.55 | $32.76 | $26.03 | 210 |
| 2019 | $27.54 | $34.68 | $27.26 | 160 |
| 2020 | $29.61 | $36.83 | $28.71 | 120 |
| 2021 | $30.34 | $36.05 | $29.92 | 90 |
| 2022 | $35.62 | $39.18 | $29.49 | 90 |
| 2023 | $36.52 | $38.59 | $31.10 | 120 |
| 2024 | $35.33 | $36.26 | $31.91 | — |
| 2025 | $25.37 | $25.37 | $32.73 | — |
In today's dollars, the median crane operator wage in Idaho changed by -27.2% over the last ten years of data and by -26.8% since 2019.
Outlook for crane operators in Idaho
Idaho's labor market agency projects the number of crane operators in the state to change by +13.8% between 2024 and 2034, from 190 to 210, with about 20 openings a year. Nationally, BLS projects +3.8% over 2025-35.
Source: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034 long-term projections (state projections page).
Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators in Idaho
On federally funded construction in Idaho, contractors must pay crane operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 4 of the 33 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $52.24 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $37.82). 20 of the 33 counties still use a survey rate dated 2012 or earlier (for example Adams County at $37.82). The market median for the state is $25.37.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Power | Union ENGI0302-038 2025-01-01 | $37.35 | $16.10 | $53.45 | ID20260034 |
| Bonneville | Union ENGI0302-013 2025-06-01 | $36.14 | $16.10 | $52.24 | ID20260100 |
| Butte | Union ENGI0302-013 2025-06-01 | $36.14 | $16.10 | $52.24 | ID20260101 |
| Jefferson | Union ENGI0302-013 2025-06-01 | $36.14 | $16.10 | $52.24 | ID20260102 |
| Bannock | uavg UAVGID0002 2025-01-03 | $31.81 | $18.12 | $49.93 | ID20260105 |
| Franklin | uavg UAVGID0002 2025-01-03 | $31.81 | $18.12 | $49.93 | ID20260105 |
| Ada | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260104 |
| Boise | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260104 |
| Canyon | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260106 |
| Gem | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260106 |
| Kootenai | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260107 |
| Nez Perce | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260107 |
| Owyhee | uavg UAVGID0001 2025-01-03 | $31.13 | $18.35 | $49.48 | ID20260103 |
| Adams | Survey SUID2010-013 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260020 |
| Blaine | Survey SUID2010-002 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260009 |
| Bonner | Survey SUID2010-003 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260010 |
| Boundary | Survey SUID2010-004 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260011 |
| Camas | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260022 |
| Cassia | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260022 |
| Clearwater | Survey SUID2010-007 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260014 |
| Elmore | Survey SUID2010-013 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260020 |
| Gooding | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260022 |
| Idaho | Survey SUID2010-017 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260024 |
| Jerome | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260022 |
| Latah | Survey SUID2010-008 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260015 |
| Lewis | Survey SUID2010-017 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260024 |
| Lincoln | Survey SUID2010-015 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260022 |
| Minidoka | Survey SUID2010-010 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260017 |
| Payette | Survey SUID2010-013 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260020 |
| Shoshone | Survey SUID2010-011 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260018 |
| Twin Falls | Survey SUID2010-012 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260019 |
| Valley | Survey SUID2010-013 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260020 |
| Washington | Survey SUID2010-013 2012-08-08 | $27.29 | $10.53 | $37.82 | ID20260020 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-11-13. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Idaho prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Idaho?
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 36 counties that report both years, specialty trade contractor employment (all trades) went from 22,844 in 2015 to 45,763 in 2025, +100.3%.
| County | Establishments | Employees | Average annual pay | Avg weekly wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ada County | 1,634 | 14,647 | $76,455 | $1,470 |
| Franklin County | 64 | 249 | $72,834 | $1,401 |
| Butte County | 8 | 43 | $70,911 | $1,364 |
| Nez Perce County | 96 | 724 | $70,436 | $1,355 |
| Shoshone County | 37 | 130 | $67,238 | $1,293 |
| Minidoka County | 59 | 399 | $66,326 | $1,275 |
| Bannock County | 274 | 2,005 | $63,744 | $1,226 |
| Jerome County | 94 | 480 | $63,301 | $1,217 |
| Kootenai County | 1,006 | 4,664 | $63,054 | $1,213 |
| Blaine County | 264 | 1,619 | $62,835 | $1,208 |
| Teton County | 100 | 516 | $62,544 | $1,203 |
| Twin Falls County | 324 | 1,539 | $62,244 | $1,197 |
| Canyon County | 1,501 | 9,273 | $61,771 | $1,188 |
| Bonneville County | 553 | 3,146 | $61,277 | $1,178 |
| Lemhi County | 24 | 158 | $60,788 | $1,169 |
| Bingham County | 154 | 948 | $58,471 | $1,124 |
| Valley County | 102 | 285 | $58,132 | $1,118 |
| Payette County | 81 | 326 | $55,929 | $1,076 |
| Boise County | 32 | 74 | $54,998 | $1,058 |
| Owyhee County | 42 | 172 | $54,953 | $1,057 |
| Clearwater County | 27 | 78 | $54,015 | $1,039 |
| Jefferson County | 164 | 920 | $53,722 | $1,033 |
| Idaho County | 51 | 260 | $53,672 | $1,032 |
| Elmore County | 55 | 240 | $53,358 | $1,026 |
| Boundary County | 69 | 202 | $53,080 | $1,021 |
| Bonner County | 233 | 662 | $52,969 | $1,019 |
| Latah County | 104 | 412 | $52,729 | $1,014 |
| Gem County | 98 | 274 | $52,281 | $1,005 |
| Oneida County | 12 | 33 | $51,669 | $994 |
| Lincoln County | 32 | 122 | $51,521 | $991 |
| Power County | 16 | 61 | $51,368 | $988 |
| Gooding County | 54 | 202 | $50,767 | $976 |
| Cassia County | 64 | 296 | $50,152 | $964 |
| Fremont County | 64 | 225 | $49,795 | $958 |
| Adams County | 33 | 64 | $49,170 | $946 |
| Madison County | 147 | 477 | $48,640 | $935 |
| Benewah County | 30 | 64 | $48,590 | $934 |
| Custer County | 18 | 32 | $36,473 | $701 |
| Bear Lake County | — | — | — | — |
| Camas County | — | — | — | — |
| Caribou County | — | — | — | — |
| Clark County | — | — | — | — |
| Lewis County | — | — | — | — |
| Washington County | — | — | — | — |
Keep comparing
Crane operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Idaho
More on Idaho
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make in Idaho?
The median crane operator in Idaho earned $25.37 an hour ($52,770 a year) in May 2025, 22% below the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $23.67–$37.66; the top 10% earn more than $50.11.
Where does Idaho rank for crane operator pay?
Idaho ranks 49th of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $25.37 an hour, and 49th after adjusting for Idaho's cost of living (BEA price parity 95.5, US = 100).
What is the union crane operator rate in Idaho?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for crane operators in 4 counties, with a typical package of $52.24 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many crane operators work in Idaho?
BLS counted — crane operators in Idaho in May 2025, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.00; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Is crane operator work growing in Idaho?
Idaho's labor market agency projects +13.8% growth for crane operators between 2024 and 2034, from 190 to 210 jobs.
How many crane operator openings a year are there in Idaho?
Idaho projects about 20 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, Idaho 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: Idaho labor market information agency via Projections Central, 2024–2034, fetched 2026-10-05.