Crane operator salary in Rhode Island
Median $50.16 an hour for — crane and tower operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.
Crane operator pay in Rhode Island: the full range
Rhode Island ranks 3rd of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 3rd once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $49.03). — crane and tower operators work in the state.
| Career stage (approximate) | Hourly | Annual | Where it sits in the distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apprentice / entry | $32.43 – $36.83 | $67,460 – $76,610 | roughly the 10th–25th percentile |
| Journeyman | $36.83 – $61.16 | $76,610 – $127,210 | the middle half, around the median |
| Master / foreman / specialist | $61.16 – $63.76 | $127,210 – $132,610 | the 75th–90th percentile and above |
Where does your pay fall?
Crane operator pay by metro in Rhode Island
| Metro | 10th | Median $/hr | 90th | Jobs | vs state |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Providence | $26.46 | $43.21 | $61.51 | 130 | 14% below |
Crane operator wages in Rhode Island over time
Table
| Year | Rhode Island $/hr | In 2025 $ | US $/hr | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1999 | $14.94 | $28.87 | $15.29 | — |
| 2001 | $15.88 | $28.87 | $16.64 | 40 |
| 2002 | $16.23 | $29.04 | $17.47 | 30 |
| 2004 | $18.58 | $31.67 | $17.99 | 40 |
| 2005 | $20.73 | $34.17 | $18.69 | 50 |
| 2010 | $27.39 | $40.44 | $22.23 | 30 |
| 2011 | $18.90 | $27.05 | $22.34 | 100 |
| 2012 | $18.98 | $26.61 | $22.73 | 100 |
| 2013 | $18.32 | $25.32 | $23.38 | 100 |
| 2014 | $26.73 | $36.35 | $24.39 | 30 |
| 2016 | $25.79 | $34.59 | $25.08 | — |
| 2020 | $42.50 | $52.87 | $28.71 | — |
| 2025 | $50.16 | $50.16 | $32.73 | — |
Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators in Rhode Island
On federally funded construction in Rhode Island, contractors must pay crane operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 5 of the 5 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $80.52 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical —). The market median for the state is $50.16.
| County | Rate source | Base | Fringe | Total | Determination |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bristol | Union ENGI0057-003 2025-12-01 | $50.57 | $29.95 | $80.52 | RI20260001 |
| Kent | Union ENGI0057-003 2025-12-01 | $50.57 | $29.95 | $80.52 | RI20260001 |
| Newport | Union ENGI0057-003 2025-12-01 | $50.57 | $29.95 | $80.52 | RI20260001 |
| Providence | Union ENGI0057-003 2025-12-01 | $50.57 | $29.95 | $80.52 | RI20260001 |
| Washington | Union ENGI0057-003 2025-12-01 | $50.57 | $29.95 | $80.52 | RI20260001 |
Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Rhode Island prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.
Is construction work growing in Rhode Island?
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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Providence County | 8,688 | $84,454 | $1,624 |
| Kent County | 2,826 | $78,742 | $1,514 |
| Washington County | 1,590 | $78,211 | $1,504 |
| Newport County | 1,102 | $73,003 | $1,404 |
| Bristol County | 502 | $72,651 | $1,397 |
Keep comparing
Crane operator pay in neighbouring states
Other trades in Rhode Island
Questions this page answers
How much do crane operators make in Rhode Island?
The median crane operator in Rhode Island earned $50.16 an hour ($104,340 a year) in May 2025, 53% above the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $36.83–$61.16; the top 10% earn more than $63.76.
Where does Rhode Island rank for crane operator pay?
Rhode Island ranks 3rd of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $50.16 an hour, and 3rd after adjusting for Rhode Island's cost of living (BEA price parity 102.3, US = 100).
What is the union crane operator rate in Rhode Island?
Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for crane operators in 5 counties, with a typical package of $80.52 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.
How many crane operators work in Rhode Island?
BLS counted — crane and tower operators in Rhode Island in May 2025, 0.0 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 0.00; 1.0 is the national average concentration).
Sources and notes
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Rhode Island 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.