Crane operator salary in Texas

Median $35.23 an hour for 6,010 crane and tower operators, May 2025, with the union scale by county and the trend since 1999.

TradePlace

$35.23/hrMedian hourly wageTexas, May data

$73,280/yrMedian annual payfull-time equivalent

$20.57 – $44.9010th to 90th percentilehourly range

6,010Jobs countedemployer survey

Data compiled by Skilled WagesBLS OEWS May 2025; prevailing wage as of 2026-09-28

Crane operator pay in Texas: the full range

Hourly wage percentiles for crane and tower operators: Texas vs United States, May 2025.

Texas ranks 19th of 50 states for median crane operator pay, and 19th once adjusted for cost of living (the cost-of-living-adjusted median is $36.28). 6,010 crane and tower operators work in the state.

Career stage (approximate)	Hourly	Annual	Where it sits in the distribution
Apprentice / entry	$20.57 – $27.41	$42,790 – $57,020	roughly the 10th–25th percentile
Journeyman	$27.41 – $38.40	$57,020 – $79,880	the middle half, around the median
Master / foreman / specialist	$38.40 – $44.90	$79,880 – $93,390	the 75th–90th percentile and above

Where does your pay fall?

Crane operator pay by metro in Texas

Median hourly wage for crane and tower operators by metro area in Texas, May 2025.

Metro	10th	Median $/hr	90th	Jobs	vs state
Midland	$30.42	$38.09	$44.10	150	8% above
Killeen	$17.78	$36.54	$45.02	40	4% above
Houston	$18.59	$36.30	$47.62	2,100	3% above
Austin	$22.96	$36.23	$47.86	230	3% above
Odessa	$26.46	$36.21	$42.77	90	3% above
Corpus Christi	$24.87	$35.68	$36.91	330	1% above
Beaumont	$21.85	$35.12	$42.51	240	about the same as
Dallas-Fort Worth	$22.26	$33.00	$44.20	1,310	6% below
San Antonio	$21.25	$32.79	$44.81	270	7% below
El Paso	$19.61	$29.94	$41.73	120	15% below
Waco	$16.44	$29.50	$45.21	50	16% below
Longview	$18.47	$29.24	$36.78	—	17% below
College Station	$21.95	$29.09	$41.08	40	17% below
McAllen	$14.66	$27.07	$36.42	50	23% below
Tyler	$20.79	$26.89	$36.80	30	24% below
Brownsville	$15.00	$25.99	$36.50	30	26% below
San Angelo	$18.38	$22.09	$33.01	40	37% below

Crane operator wages in Texas over time

Median hourly wage for crane and tower operators, Texas vs United States, 1999–2025, nominal dollars.

Table

Year	Texas $/hr	In 2025 $	US $/hr	Jobs
1999	$14.26	$27.56	$15.29	3,930
2000	$14.01	$26.19	$15.89	4,680
2001	$14.04	$25.52	$16.64	4,610
2002	$14.80	$26.49	$17.47	4,220
2003	$15.39	$26.93	$17.86	4,350
2004	$16.24	$27.68	$17.99	4,160
2005	$16.21	$26.72	$18.69	4,370
2006	$15.47	$24.70	$18.77	5,090
2007	$16.39	$25.45	$19.36	4,370
2008	$18.39	$27.50	$20.13	4,240
2009	$22.72	$34.09	$21.22	4,170
2010	$22.53	$33.26	$22.23	4,690
2011	$21.11	$30.21	$22.34	5,100
2012	$21.51	$30.16	$22.73	5,340
2013	$23.07	$31.88	$23.38	5,130
2014	$25.26	$34.35	$24.39	6,340
2015	$25.30	$34.37	$24.83	—
2016	$25.34	$33.99	$25.08	8,110
2017	$25.32	$33.26	$25.10	6,880
2018	$26.11	$33.48	$26.03	5,850
2019	$27.53	$34.67	$27.26	6,420
2020	$29.65	$36.88	$28.71	7,650
2021	$30.04	$35.69	$29.92	7,110
2022	$30.80	$33.88	$29.49	7,230
2023	$33.84	$35.75	$31.10	7,610
2024	$35.03	$35.95	$31.91	6,650
2025	$35.23	$35.23	$32.73	6,010

In today's dollars, the median crane operator wage in Texas changed by +2.5% over the last ten years of data.

Union scale and prevailing wage for crane operators in Texas

On federally funded construction in Texas, contractors must pay crane operators at least the Davis-Bacon rate for the county. 77 of the 254 counties with a Building rate use a union contract rate (typical package $45.95 an hour including fringe); the rest use a survey rate (typical $21.33). 177 of the 254 counties still use a survey rate dated 2009 or earlier (for example Anderson County at $21.33). The market median for the state is $35.23.

Union contract rateSurvey rate

Davis-Bacon base + fringe for crane operators by county, Building construction. Hatched counties use a survey rate rather than a union contract.

Market median (BLS metro wage) vs the Davis-Bacon package (base + fringe) for crane operators, metro counties in Texas.

County	Rate source	Base	Fringe	Total	Determination
Atascosa	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260290
Austin	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260229
Bandera	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260284
Bastrop	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260285
Bexar	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260231
Brazoria	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260233
Caldwell	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260286
Chambers	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260238
Comal	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260240
Fort Bend	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260247
Galveston	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260248
Guadalupe	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260251
Hardin	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260252
Harris	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260253
Hays	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260254
Jefferson	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260256
Kendall	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260258
Liberty	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260259
Medina	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260290
Montgomery	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260262
Orange	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260263
San Jacinto	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260268
Travis	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260271
Waller	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260272
Williamson	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260275
Wilson	Union ENGI0450-002 2024-04-01	$39.47	$10.39	$49.86	TX20260287
Aransas	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260288
Archer	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260289
Armstrong	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260228
Bell	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260230
Bowie	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260232
Brazos	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260234
Burleson	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260235
Calhoun	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260277
Callahan	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260278
Cameron	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260236
Carson	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260237
Clay	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260289
Collin	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260239
Coryell	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260279
Crosby	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260280
Dallas	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260241
Delta	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260242
Denton	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260243
Ector	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260244
Ellis	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260246
El Paso	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260245
Goliad	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260277
Grayson	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260249
Gregg	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260250
Hidalgo	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260255
Hunt	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260281
Irion	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260282
Johnson	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260257
Jones	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260278
Kaufman	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260281
Lampasas	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260279
Lubbock	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260280
McLennan	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260260
Midland	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260261
Nueces	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260288
Parker	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260264
Potter	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260265
Randall	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260266
Robertson	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260267
Rockwall	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260281
Rusk	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260283
San Patricio	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260288
Smith	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260269
Tarrant	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260270
Taylor	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260278
Tom Green	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260282
Upshur	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260283
Victoria	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260277
Webb	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260273
Wichita	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260274
Wise	Union ENGI0178-005 2020-06-01	$32.85	$13.10	$45.95	TX20260276
Anderson	Survey SUTX2009-001 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260114
Andrews	Survey SUTX2009-002 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260115
Angelina	Survey SUTX2009-003 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260116
Bailey	Survey SUTX2009-004 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260117
Baylor	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Bee	Survey SUTX2009-005 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260118
Blanco	Survey SUTX2009-080 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260193
Borden	Survey SUTX2009-081 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260194
Bosque	Survey SUTX2009-006 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260119
Brewster	Survey SUTX2009-007 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260120
Briscoe	Survey SUTX2009-082 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260195
Brooks	Survey SUTX2009-008 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260121
Brown	Survey SUTX2009-009 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260122
Burnet	Survey SUTX2009-010 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260123
Camp	Survey SUTX2009-011 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260124
Cass	Survey SUTX2009-012 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260125
Castro	Survey SUTX2009-083 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260196
Cherokee	Survey SUTX2009-013 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260126
Childress	Survey SUTX2009-083 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260196
Cochran	Survey SUTX2009-014 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260127
Coke	Survey SUTX2009-080 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260193
Coleman	Survey SUTX2009-084 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260197
Collingsworth	Survey SUTX2009-082 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260195
Colorado	Survey SUTX2009-015 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260128
Comanche	Survey SUTX2009-084 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260197
Concho	Survey SUTX2009-084 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260197
Cooke	Survey SUTX2009-016 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260129
Cottle	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Crane	Survey SUTX2009-081 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260194
Crockett	Survey SUTX2009-017 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260130
Culberson	Survey SUTX2009-018 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260131
Dallam	Survey SUTX2009-085 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260198
Dawson	Survey SUTX2009-081 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260194
Deaf Smith	Survey SUTX2009-085 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260198
DeWitt	Survey SUTX2009-019 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260132
Dickens	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Dimmit	Survey SUTX2009-020 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260133
Donley	Survey SUTX2009-085 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260198
Duval	Survey SUTX2009-021 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260134
Eastland	Survey SUTX2009-022 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260135
Edwards	Survey SUTX2009-086 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260199
Erath	Survey SUTX2009-023 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260136
Falls	Survey SUTX2009-024 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260137
Fannin	Survey SUTX2009-025 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260138
Fayette	Survey SUTX2009-026 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260139
Fisher	Survey SUTX2009-027 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260140
Floyd	Survey SUTX2009-028 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260141
Foard	Survey SUTX2009-087 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260200
Franklin	Survey SUTX2009-029 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260142
Freestone	Survey SUTX2009-088 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260201
Frio	Survey SUTX2009-089 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260202
Gaines	Survey SUTX2009-030 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260143
Garza	Survey SUTX2009-087 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260200
Gillespie	Survey SUTX2009-031 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260144
Glasscock	Survey SUTX2009-032 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260145
Gonzales	Survey SUTX2009-033 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260146
Gray	Survey SUTX2009-034 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260147
Grimes	Survey SUTX2009-035 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260148
Hale	Survey SUTX2009-036 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260149
Hall	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Hamilton	Survey SUTX2009-037 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260150
Hansford	Survey SUTX2009-038 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260151
Hardeman	Survey SUTX2009-091 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260204
Harrison	Survey SUTX2009-039 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260152
Hartley	Survey SUTX2009-085 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260198
Haskell	Survey SUTX2009-092 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260205
Hemphill	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Henderson	Survey SUTX2009-093 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260206
Hill	Survey SUTX2009-093 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260206
Hockley	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Hood	Survey SUTX2009-040 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260153
Hopkins	Survey SUTX2009-041 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260154
Houston	Survey SUTX2009-042 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260155
Howard	Survey SUTX2009-043 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260156
Hudspeth	Survey SUTX2009-044 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260157
Hutchinson	Survey SUTX2009-094 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260207
Jack	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Jackson	Survey SUTX2009-045 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260158
Jasper	Survey SUTX2009-046 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260159
Jeff Davis	Survey SUTX2009-095 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260208
Jim Hogg	Survey SUTX2009-047 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260160
Jim Wells	Survey SUTX2009-096 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260209
Karnes	Survey SUTX2009-097 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260210
Kenedy	Survey SUTX2009-098 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260211
Kent	Survey SUTX2009-092 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260205
Kerr	Survey SUTX2009-048 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260161
Kimble	Survey SUTX2009-049 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260162
King	Survey SUTX2009-092 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260205
Kinney	Survey SUTX2009-098 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260211
Kleberg	Survey SUTX2009-050 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260163
Knox	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Lamar	Survey SUTX2009-051 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260164
Lamb	Survey SUTX2009-052 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260165
La Salle	Survey SUTX2009-099 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260212
Lavaca	Survey SUTX2009-097 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260210
Lee	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
Leon	Survey SUTX2009-101 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260214
Limestone	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
Lipscomb	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Live Oak	Survey SUTX2009-096 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260209
Llano	Survey SUTX2009-102 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260215
Loving	Survey SUTX2009-053 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260166
Lynn	Survey SUTX2009-087 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260200
McCulloch	Survey SUTX2009-102 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260215
McMullen	Survey SUTX2009-099 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260212
Madison	Survey SUTX2009-054 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260167
Marion	Survey SUTX2009-055 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260168
Martin	Survey SUTX2009-095 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260208
Mason	Survey SUTX2009-102 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260215
Matagorda	Survey SUTX2009-103 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260216
Maverick	Survey SUTX2009-089 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260202
Menard	Survey SUTX2009-104 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260217
Milam	Survey SUTX2009-101 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260214
Mills	Survey SUTX2009-104 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260217
Mitchell	Survey SUTX2009-104 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260217
Montague	Survey SUTX2009-056 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260169
Moore	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Morris	Survey SUTX2009-057 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260170
Motley	Survey SUTX2009-092 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260205
Nacogdoches	Survey SUTX2009-058 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260171
Navarro	Survey SUTX2009-059 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260172
Newton	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
Nolan	Survey SUTX2009-104 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260217
Ochiltree	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Oldham	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Palo Pinto	Survey SUTX2009-105 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260218
Panola	Survey SUTX2009-105 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260218
Parmer	Survey SUTX2009-090 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260203
Pecos	Survey SUTX2009-060 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260173
Polk	Survey SUTX2009-061 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260174
Presidio	Survey SUTX2009-086 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260199
Rains	Survey SUTX2009-062 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260175
Reagan	Survey SUTX2009-086 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260199
Real	Survey SUTX2009-063 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260176
Red River	Survey SUTX2009-064 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260177
Reeves	Survey SUTX2009-095 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260208
Refugio	Survey SUTX2009-103 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260216
Roberts	Survey SUTX2009-094 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260207
Runnels	Survey SUTX2009-102 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260215
Sabine	Survey SUTX2009-065 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260178
San Augustine	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
San Saba	Survey SUTX2009-106 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260219
Schleicher	Survey SUTX2009-106 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260219
Scurry	Survey SUTX2009-066 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260179
Shackelford	Survey SUTX2009-067 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260180
Shelby	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
Sherman	Survey SUTX2009-107 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260220
Somervell	Survey SUTX2009-093 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260206
Starr	Survey SUTX2009-108 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260221
Stephens	Survey SUTX2009-068 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260181
Sterling	Survey SUTX2009-106 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260219
Stonewall	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Sutton	Survey SUTX2009-069 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260182
Swisher	Survey SUTX2009-085 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260198
Terrell	Survey SUTX2009-070 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260183
Terry	Survey SUTX2009-091 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260204
Throckmorton	Survey SUTX2009-071 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260184
Titus	Survey SUTX2009-072 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260185
Trinity	Survey SUTX2009-088 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260201
Tyler	Survey SUTX2009-088 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260201
Upton	Survey SUTX2009-109 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260222
Uvalde	Survey SUTX2009-108 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260221
Val Verde	Survey SUTX2009-073 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260186
Van Zandt	Survey SUTX2009-074 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260187
Walker	Survey SUTX2009-075 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260188
Ward	Survey SUTX2009-109 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260222
Washington	Survey SUTX2009-100 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260213
Wharton	Survey SUTX2009-096 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260209
Wheeler	Survey SUTX2009-107 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260220
Wilbarger	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Willacy	Survey SUTX2009-108 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260221
Winkler	Survey SUTX2009-076 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260189
Wood	Survey SUTX2009-077 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260190
Yoakum	Survey SUTX2009-079 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260192
Young	Survey SUTX2009-078 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260191
Zapata	Survey SUTX2009-108 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260221
Zavala	Survey SUTX2009-108 2009-04-20	$21.33	$0.00	$21.33	TX20260221

Building construction type, current revisions as of 2026-09-28. Residential, Heavy and Highway rates differ; look them up on the Texas prevailing wage page. This is not the official wage determination.

Is construction work growing in Texas?

929.9kConstruction jobsTexas, 2026-08

+2.2%Change over 12 monthsseasonally unadjusted

Construction employment in Texas (thousands), construction supersector, BLS CES, not seasonally adjusted. Grey bands are recessions.

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
Ward County	492	$114,200	$2,196
Armstrong County	186	$112,884	$2,171
Marion County	82	$112,162	$2,157
Bosque County	326	$104,299	$2,006
Jones County	176	$102,591	$1,973
Andrews County	562	$97,060	$1,867
Fayette County	635	$95,031	$1,828
Midland County	4,427	$94,134	$1,810
Yoakum County	206	$93,961	$1,807
Jefferson County	6,951	$92,846	$1,785
Chambers County	181	$92,338	$1,776
Brazoria County	4,932	$90,928	$1,749
Dawson County	107	$90,342	$1,737
Ector County	3,132	$90,090	$1,732
Winkler County	127	$86,916	$1,671
Leon County	1,454	$85,683	$1,648
Dallas County	65,657	$84,825	$1,631
Liberty County	1,218	$84,075	$1,617
Fort Bend County	7,599	$83,410	$1,604
Titus County	489	$83,245	$1,601
Austin County	916	$83,046	$1,597
Galveston County	4,087	$82,660	$1,590
Harris County	91,950	$82,512	$1,587
Travis County	30,187	$82,228	$1,581
Red River County	109	$81,690	$1,571
Tarrant County	40,006	$81,333	$1,564
Bee County	408	$79,938	$1,537
Denton County	11,897	$79,247	$1,524
Collin County	11,822	$78,881	$1,517
Blanco County	358	$78,700	$1,513
Hutchinson County	307	$78,165	$1,503
Williamson County	14,949	$77,535	$1,491
San Patricio County	1,011	$76,951	$1,480
Camp County	162	$76,654	$1,474
Johnson County	3,301	$76,526	$1,472
Gaines County	672	$76,114	$1,464
Hansford County	116	$75,780	$1,457
Hill County	373	$75,483	$1,452
Bastrop County	1,629	$75,375	$1,450
Coleman County	83	$75,342	$1,449
Atascosa County	328	$75,248	$1,447
Guadalupe County	2,834	$75,120	$1,445
Wise County	1,770	$75,026	$1,443
Lavaca County	251	$74,552	$1,434
Scurry County	242	$74,385	$1,430
Eastland County	253	$74,286	$1,429
Parker County	2,579	$73,654	$1,416
Randall County	2,006	$73,176	$1,407
Hays County	4,576	$72,513	$1,394
Waller County	1,095	$72,458	$1,393
Taylor County	2,754	$72,436	$1,393
Nueces County	5,393	$72,243	$1,389
Bexar County	29,140	$72,172	$1,388
Calhoun County	2,353	$72,006	$1,385
Hardin County	612	$71,992	$1,384
Kendall County	1,248	$71,972	$1,384
Montgomery County	9,245	$71,829	$1,381
Comal County	5,073	$71,227	$1,370
Kaufman County	2,402	$71,092	$1,367
Ellis County	4,056	$71,031	$1,366
Mitchell County	11	$70,678	$1,359
Hunt County	1,217	$70,160	$1,349
Harrison County	943	$69,925	$1,345
Hockley County	254	$69,918	$1,345
Runnels County	137	$69,739	$1,341
Somervell County	92	$69,380	$1,334
Hamilton County	82	$69,223	$1,331
McLennan County	6,263	$68,660	$1,320
Colorado County	236	$68,628	$1,320
Dallam County	122	$68,129	$1,310
Grimes County	440	$67,775	$1,303
Rockwall County	2,448	$67,463	$1,297
Robertson County	356	$67,310	$1,294
Hood County	705	$67,124	$1,291
Polk County	422	$67,080	$1,290
Angelina County	1,512	$67,011	$1,289
Panola County	184	$66,680	$1,282
Grayson County	1,949	$66,674	$1,282
Orange County	747	$66,486	$1,279
Lubbock County	5,273	$66,080	$1,271
Clay County	40	$66,047	$1,270
Upshur County	566	$65,907	$1,267
Erath County	671	$65,903	$1,267
Navarro County	297	$65,866	$1,267
Jackson County	271	$65,708	$1,264
Victoria County	1,141	$64,842	$1,247
Rains County	202	$64,787	$1,246
Potter County	2,597	$64,125	$1,233
Gregg County	4,793	$63,989	$1,231
Brazos County	3,096	$63,877	$1,228
Hopkins County	384	$63,557	$1,222
Jack County	58	$63,473	$1,221
Cherokee County	316	$63,434	$1,220
Burnet County	1,078	$63,170	$1,215
Mason County	79	$62,998	$1,211
Gray County	300	$62,914	$1,210
Tom Green County	1,514	$62,292	$1,198
Burleson County	161	$62,277	$1,198
Gillespie County	721	$62,217	$1,196
La Salle County	39	$61,851	$1,189
Smith County	3,674	$61,845	$1,189
Duval County	93	$61,738	$1,187
Caldwell County	591	$61,691	$1,186
Franklin County	118	$61,683	$1,186
Deaf Smith County	145	$61,661	$1,186
DeWitt County	228	$61,594	$1,184
Wilson County	728	$61,520	$1,183
Bell County	3,316	$61,518	$1,183
Bowie County	1,307	$61,433	$1,181
Walker County	503	$60,678	$1,167
Van Zandt County	805	$60,620	$1,166
Fannin County	722	$60,388	$1,161
Medina County	447	$60,309	$1,160
Lee County	195	$59,958	$1,153
Wharton County	358	$59,648	$1,147
Houston County	175	$59,562	$1,145
Cooke County	675	$59,489	$1,144
Llano County	322	$59,292	$1,140
Lamar County	620	$58,858	$1,132
Wichita County	1,359	$58,633	$1,128
Kerr County	1,016	$58,110	$1,118
Hale County	288	$58,100	$1,117
Brown County	348	$58,027	$1,116
Jasper County	269	$57,986	$1,115
Henderson County	721	$57,979	$1,115
Washington County	521	$57,956	$1,115
Palo Pinto County	162	$57,711	$1,110
Coryell County	421	$57,499	$1,106
Anderson County	361	$57,291	$1,102
Nacogdoches County	472	$56,640	$1,089
Archer County	92	$56,094	$1,079
Delta County	34	$56,057	$1,078
Madison County	69	$55,774	$1,073
Callahan County	133	$55,730	$1,072
Wood County	326	$55,678	$1,071
Coke County	44	$55,174	$1,061
Lampasas County	542	$55,138	$1,060
Bandera County	242	$54,984	$1,057
Shelby County	135	$54,803	$1,054
Aransas County	226	$54,758	$1,053
Hartley County	23	$54,632	$1,051
Cameron County	2,296	$54,601	$1,050
Milam County	147	$54,138	$1,041
El Paso County	8,656	$53,701	$1,033
Cass County	147	$53,684	$1,032
Falls County	56	$53,328	$1,026
Goliad County	28	$53,071	$1,021
Zapata County	82	$52,726	$1,014
San Saba County	27	$52,451	$1,009
Baylor County	22	$52,450	$1,009
Webb County	1,379	$52,269	$1,005
Montague County	125	$52,268	$1,005
Parmer County	66	$52,239	$1,005
Jim Wells County	224	$52,030	$1,001
Hidalgo County	4,786	$51,870	$997
Stephens County	170	$51,849	$997
Young County	181	$51,737	$995
Ochiltree County	108	$51,560	$992
Maverick County	132	$51,484	$990
Knox County	30	$51,348	$987
Karnes County	34	$51,260	$986
Val Verde County	189	$50,921	$979
Freestone County	97	$50,233	$966
Willacy County	42	$49,527	$952
San Jacinto County	132	$49,217	$946
Kleberg County	107	$48,495	$933
Childress County	30	$46,639	$897
Rusk County	224	$46,410	$893
Live Oak County	19	$46,185	$888
Terry County	38	$45,946	$884
Uvalde County	180	$45,750	$880
Lamb County	38	$44,742	$860
Sabine County	58	$43,714	$841
Mills County	52	$43,621	$839
Wilbarger County	47	$43,432	$835
Comanche County	59	$42,581	$819
Haskell County	7	$41,908	$806
McCulloch County	54	$39,885	$767
Starr County	74	$34,812	$669
Bailey County	—	—	—
Brewster County	—	—	—
Briscoe County	—	—	—
Brooks County	—	—	—
Carson County	—	—	—
Castro County	—	—	—
Cochran County	—	—	—
Collingsworth County	—	—	—
Concho County	—	—	—
Cottle County	—	—	—
Crane County	—	—	—
Crockett County	—	—	—
Crosby County	—	—	—
Culberson County	—	—	—
Dickens County	—	—	—
Dimmit County	—	—	—
Donley County	—	—	—
Edwards County	—	—	—
Fisher County	—	—	—
Floyd County	—	—	—
Foard County	—	—	—
Frio County	—	—	—
Garza County	—	—	—
Glasscock County	—	—	—
Gonzales County	—	—	—
Hall County	—	—	—
Hardeman County	—	—	—
Hemphill County	—	—	—
Howard County	—	—	—
Hudspeth County	—	—	—
Irion County	—	—	—
Jeff Davis County	—	—	—
Jim Hogg County	—	—	—
Kimble County	—	—	—
Kinney County	—	—	—
Limestone County	—	—	—
Lipscomb County	—	—	—
Loving County	—	—	—
Lynn County	—	—	—
McMullen County	—	—	—
Martin County	—	—	—
Matagorda County	—	—	—
Menard County	—	—	—
Moore County	—	—	—
Morris County	—	—	—
Motley County	—	—	—
Newton County	—	—	—
Nolan County	—	—	—
Oldham County	—	—	—
Pecos County	—	—	—
Presidio County	—	—	—
Reagan County	—	—	—
Real County	—	—	—
Reeves County	—	—	—
Refugio County	—	—	—
Roberts County	—	—	—
San Augustine County	—	—	—
Schleicher County	—	—	—
Shackelford County	—	—	—
Sherman County	—	—	—
Sterling County	—	—	—
Stonewall County	—	—	—
Sutton County	—	—	—
Swisher County	—	—	—
Terrell County	—	—	—
Throckmorton County	—	—	—
Trinity County	—	—	—
Tyler County	—	—	—
Upton County	—	—	—
Wheeler County	—	—	—
Zavala County	—	—	—

Keep comparing

Crane operator pay in neighbouring states

Other trades in Texas

Questions this page answers

How much do crane operators make in Texas?

The median crane operator in Texas earned $35.23 an hour ($73,280 a year) in May 2025, 8% above the national median of $32.73. The middle half earn $27.41–$38.40; the top 10% earn more than $44.90.

Where does Texas rank for crane operator pay?

Texas ranks 19th of 50 states for crane operator pay, with a median of $35.23 an hour, and 19th after adjusting for Texas's cost of living (BEA price parity 97.1, US = 100).

What is the union crane operator rate in Texas?

Davis-Bacon determinations list a union contract rate for crane operators in 77 counties, with a typical package of $45.95 an hour including fringe benefits; see the county table above.

How many crane operators work in Texas?

BLS counted 6,010 crane and tower operators in Texas in May 2025, 0.4 per 1,000 jobs (location quotient 1.55; 1.0 is the national average concentration).

Sources and notes

BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, Texas 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.