Crane and Tower Operators Salary — US State Breakdown (2025)
✓ Sourced directly from BLS OES · Checked for accuracy at every rebuild · Last updated: 2026-09-02
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US Salary Overview
The national median wage for crane and tower operators in the United States is $68,080 per year, based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025) — real government survey data, not an algorithmic salary estimate. Pay ranges from $42,640 at the 10th percentile to $103,570 at the 90th percentile. In the UK, the equivalent occupation (Crane drivers) has a median of £46,392 — figures are shown in local currency and are not converted. Signing a US offer? Employment contract templates at LawDepot cover offer letters, NDAs and employment agreements.
US Salary Percentiles
| Percentile | Annual (gross) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $42,640 | Entry level / lowest decile |
| 25th | $52,600 | Early career |
| 50th (median) | $68,080 | Typical pay |
| 75th | $83,200 | Experienced |
| 90th | $103,570 | Senior / highest decile |
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Start $1 Trial →Median Salary by State
| State | Median salary | Mean salary | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $124,260 | $119,300 | 190 |
| Nevada | $115,840 | $108,410 | 380 |
| Rhode Island | $104,340 | $99,690 | — |
| Washington | $101,110 | $101,600 | 1,000 |
| New Jersey | $100,640 | $102,380 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $98,150 | $100,260 | 680 |
| Alaska | $92,490 | $91,790 | 50 |
| Maryland | $87,950 | $82,070 | — |
| New York | $85,850 | $115,400 | 1,000 |
| Oregon | $83,260 | $91,780 | 340 |
| North Dakota | $82,890 | $79,800 | 180 |
| Montana | $82,800 | $81,740 | 30 |
| Connecticut | $81,360 | $79,050 | 220 |
| Minnesota | $80,930 | $85,490 | 370 |
| California | $79,570 | $87,030 | 2,000 |
| Wyoming | $77,970 | $79,180 | 230 |
| Colorado | $77,120 | $76,030 | 470 |
| Kansas | $77,100 | $73,110 | 780 |
| Texas | $73,280 | $69,650 | 6,000 |
| Vermont | $72,760 | $75,930 | 170 |
| Florida | $71,560 | $71,460 | 3,000 |
| South Dakota | $71,000 | $70,560 | 120 |
| Wisconsin | $67,720 | $72,660 | 440 |
| Iowa | $67,600 | $67,390 | 650 |
| Utah | $67,410 | $70,970 | 440 |
| Arizona | $67,350 | $70,260 | 930 |
| Virginia | $66,600 | $66,470 | 1,000 |
| Maine | $65,690 | $66,340 | 360 |
| Pennsylvania | $65,190 | $68,580 | 2,000 |
| North Carolina | $64,480 | $65,620 | 1,000 |
| South Carolina | $64,120 | $65,890 | 720 |
| Oklahoma | $63,590 | $66,120 | 620 |
| New Hampshire | $63,310 | $65,170 | 170 |
| New Mexico | $62,400 | $63,550 | 290 |
| Georgia | $62,050 | $62,240 | 1,000 |
| Kentucky | $62,000 | $63,750 | 640 |
| Illinois | $61,820 | $71,380 | 1,000 |
| Mississippi | $61,260 | $56,090 | 550 |
| Louisiana | $61,170 | $63,380 | 2,000 |
| Alabama | $60,790 | $61,170 | 1,000 |
| Nebraska | $60,720 | $61,510 | 410 |
| Delaware | $60,160 | $62,330 | 220 |
| Michigan | $59,740 | $68,230 | 1,000 |
| Tennessee | $59,410 | $63,250 | 660 |
| Missouri | $58,450 | $63,850 | 630 |
| Guam | $58,140 | $59,900 | 50 |
| Ohio | $57,620 | $63,000 | 2,000 |
| West Virginia | $54,830 | $54,450 | 170 |
| Indiana | $52,950 | $57,330 | 2,000 |
| Idaho | $52,770 | $65,560 | — |
| Arkansas | $41,600 | $45,160 | 880 |
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How Does This Compare to the UK?
Crane and Tower Operators is the US equivalent of crane drivers in the UK, which has a national median of £46,392. Figures are shown in local currency, not converted — cost of living, tax systems and benefits packages differ enough between the two countries that a currency conversion alone would be misleading. See the full UK breakdown, or use our comparison tool to set this role against another job title side by side, with location and experience-level filters.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average salary for a crane and tower operators in the US?
The US national median wage for crane and tower operators is $68,080 per year (gross, before tax), based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
What is the pay range for crane and tower operators in the US?
Pay ranges from $42,640 at the 10th percentile to $103,570 at the 90th percentile. This difference typically reflects experience level, employer size, and location.
Which US states pay crane and tower operators the most?
The highest-paying states for crane and tower operators include Hawaii ($124,260), Nevada ($115,840), Rhode Island ($104,340). Pay varies by state due to cost of living, local demand and industry concentration.
How much does crane and tower operators salary vary by state?
The gap between the highest- and lowest-paying states is significant — Hawaii ($124,260) pays roughly 199% more than Arkansas ($41,600). Check the state breakdown above for the exact figure in your location.
How does crane and tower operators pay compare between the US and UK?
The UK equivalent role (Crane drivers) has a national median of £46,392. Figures are shown in local currency rather than converted, since cost of living and tax systems differ enough between the two countries that a straight currency conversion would be misleading.
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Data: BLS OES, May 2025 · ONS ASHE Table 14/15, 2025 provisional · Page built 2026-09-02