Crane and Tower Operators Salary by State
The national median pay for crane and tower operators is $68,080 a year. By state, it ranges from $41,600 in Arkansas to $124,260 in Hawaii.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $42,640
- 25th percentile
- $52,600
- Median
- $68,080
- 75th percentile
- $83,200
- Top 10%
- $103,570
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 42,890 jobs.
Median pay in 50 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $124,260 | +83% | $96,640 | $131,220 | 190 |
| 2 | Nevada | $115,840 | +70% | $61,460 | $135,000 | 380 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $104,340 | +53% | $67,460 | $132,610 | Not published |
| 4 | Washington | $101,110 | +49% | $63,180 | $133,550 | 1,030 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $100,640 | +48% | $65,510 | $129,570 | 1,000 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $98,150 | +44% | $59,860 | $129,790 | 680 |
| 7 | Alaska | $92,490 | +36% | $81,060 | $116,480 | 50 |
| 8 | Maryland | $87,950 | +29% | $61,450 | $94,700 | Not published |
| 9 | New York | $85,850 | +26% | $49,460 | $216,500 | 1,150 |
| 10 | Oregon | $83,260 | +22% | $49,780 | $132,400 | 340 |
| 11 | North Dakota | $82,890 | +22% | $50,200 | $96,790 | 180 |
| 12 | Montana | $82,800 | +22% | $51,970 | $101,860 | 30 |
| 13 | Connecticut | $81,360 | +20% | $52,000 | $106,980 | 220 |
| 14 | Minnesota | $80,930 | +19% | $52,590 | $116,890 | 370 |
| 15 | California | $79,570 | +17% | $50,550 | $135,820 | 2,130 |
| 16 | Wyoming | $77,970 | +15% | $63,650 | $94,580 | 230 |
| 17 | Colorado | $77,120 | +13% | $57,800 | $97,470 | 470 |
| 18 | Kansas | $77,100 | +13% | $49,840 | $99,500 | 780 |
| 19 | Texas | $73,280 | +8% | $42,790 | $93,390 | 6,010 |
| 20 | Vermont | $72,760 | +7% | $61,070 | $105,910 | 170 |
| 21 | Florida | $71,560 | +5% | $47,840 | $94,170 | 2,570 |
| 22 | South Dakota | $71,000 | +4% | $58,370 | $93,600 | 120 |
| 23 | Wisconsin | $67,720 | −1% | $48,980 | $104,420 | 440 |
| 24 | Iowa | $67,600 | −1% | $47,480 | $83,650 | 650 |
| 25 | Utah | $67,410 | −1% | $35,880 | $97,140 | 440 |
| 26 | Arizona | $67,350 | −1% | $50,930 | $87,990 | 930 |
| 27 | Virginia | $66,600 | −2% | $42,720 | $88,480 | 1,120 |
| 28 | Maine | $65,690 | −4% | $45,310 | $90,730 | 360 |
| 29 | Pennsylvania | $65,190 | −4% | $44,320 | $106,380 | 1,630 |
| 30 | North Carolina | $64,480 | −5% | $46,530 | $82,730 | 1,050 |
| 31 | South Carolina | $64,120 | −6% | $45,420 | $89,440 | 720 |
| 32 | Oklahoma | $63,590 | −7% | $46,300 | $82,500 | 620 |
| 33 | New Hampshire | $63,310 | −7% | $48,830 | $88,630 | 170 |
| 34 | New Mexico | $62,400 | −8% | $45,180 | $81,830 | 290 |
| 35 | Georgia | $62,050 | −9% | $41,700 | $76,860 | 1,370 |
| 36 | Kentucky | $62,000 | −9% | $40,810 | $89,660 | 640 |
| 37 | Illinois | $61,820 | −9% | $41,470 | $131,280 | 1,220 |
| 38 | Mississippi | $61,260 | −10% | $34,690 | $73,840 | 550 |
| 39 | Louisiana | $61,170 | −10% | $45,370 | $82,620 | 1,930 |
| 40 | Alabama | $60,790 | −11% | $37,650 | $99,380 | 1,280 |
| 41 | Nebraska | $60,720 | −11% | $36,140 | $82,410 | 410 |
| 42 | Delaware | $60,160 | −12% | $53,940 | $77,730 | 220 |
| 43 | Michigan | $59,740 | −12% | $44,510 | $99,090 | 1,310 |
| 44 | Tennessee | $59,410 | −13% | $40,890 | $84,090 | 660 |
| 45 | Missouri | $58,450 | −14% | $40,680 | $95,580 | 630 |
| 46 | Ohio | $57,620 | −15% | $41,910 | $98,530 | 1,780 |
| 47 | West Virginia | $54,830 | −19% | $36,260 | $72,090 | 170 |
| 48 | Indiana | $52,950 | −22% | $38,830 | $87,640 | 2,300 |
| 49 | Idaho | $52,770 | −22% | $46,970 | $104,240 | Not published |
| 50 | Arkansas | $41,600 | −39% | $35,920 | $64,100 | 880 |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Crane and Tower Operators salary questions
Which state pays crane and tower operators the most?
Hawaii, with a median of $124,260 a year (+83% vs. the national median of $68,080). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays crane and tower operators the least?
Arkansas, with a median of $41,600 a year (−39% vs. national).
Where do most crane and tower operators work?
Texas has the most jobs, about 6,010, with a median of $73,280.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.