Crane Technician Salary: Merced, CA
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The median annual wage for Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042) in Merced, CA was $64,490 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $41,820 and $74,100. This is the broader occupation used for Crane Technician, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "Crane Technician" is reported by BLS as SOC 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines. BLS groups Crane Technician within Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
For Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042), the Merced, CA annual median is $1,020 below the national median of $65,510 (-1.6%).
Annual wages: Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042), Merced, CA, annual wages: 10% earned less than $35,630, half earned less than the median of $64,490, 90% earned less than $83,790 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $35,630 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $41,820 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $64,490 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $74,100 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $83,790 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $62,550 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042)
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines (SOC 49-3042), Merced, CA, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $17.13, half earned less than the median of $31.00, 90% earned less than $40.29 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $17.13 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $20.10 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $31.00 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $35.62 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $40.29 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $30.07 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
National comparison
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $46,820 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $56,970 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $65,510 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $79,270 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $94,460 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $69,240 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 49-3042 Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, Merced, CA.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Other markets
These are other target markets with published figures, not nearby areas.
What belongs in the pay comparison for Crane Technician?
Separate ordinary wages from overtime and travel arrangements. Ask about per diem, lodging, mobilization and the schedule away from home. Prevailing wage obligations and union scales depend on the job and agreement. BLS does not publish a special prevailing-wage or traveling-crew percentile.
Published wages are not a complete offer for this specific seat. The occupation is Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines, SOC 49-3042. BLS groups Crane Technician within Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
What BLS wages measure. OEWS estimates describe straight-time gross wages, not just base salary and not total compensation. They include commissions and production bonuses. They exclude overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. Discuss travel, per diem, tool and truck allowances separately. Percentiles describe the occupation's wage distribution, not seniority, plant size, job complexity or credentials. Licensing, union agreements and prevailing-wage obligations depend on the work and assignment; these figures do not establish a premium for them.
Official BLS wage definitions | Source dates and methodology
BLS definitions, verbatim
wages
Base rate; cost-of-living allowances; guaranteed pay; hazardous-duty pay; incentive pay, including commissions and production bonuses; and tips are included. Excluded are overtime pay, severance pay, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses, employer cost for supplementary benefits, and tuition reimbursements.
hours
Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly wages by 2,080 hours; for occupations where hourly wages are not published, annual wages were taken directly from the reported survey data.
Which related roles have a different BLS occupation?
A supervisory occupation is not an experience percentile for the craft. Compare the actual responsibilities and the published SOC.
Shop Foreman (49-1011)What changed since May 2024
SOC 49-3042. Published annual median: $56,870 (May 2024) and $64,490 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.