Tower Crane Operator Salary: United States
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The median annual wage for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in the United States was $68,080 in May 2025 (BLS). The middle half of workers in this occupation and area earned between $52,600 and $83,200. This is the broader occupation used for Tower Crane Operator, not a separately surveyed rate for that title or credential.
Broader occupation Our title "Tower Crane Operator" is reported by BLS as SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators. BLS groups Tower Crane Operator within Crane and Tower Operators; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately.
Annual wages: Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021)
Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021), the United States, annual wages: 10% earned less than $42,640, half earned less than the median of $68,080, 90% earned less than $103,570 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Annual wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $42,640 | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $52,600 | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $68,080 | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $83,200 | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $103,570 | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $72,130 | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Hourly wages: Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021)
Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021), the United States, hourly wages: 10% earned less than $20.50, half earned less than the median of $32.73, 90% earned less than $49.79 (BLS, May 2025).
| Measure | Hourly wage | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $20.50 per hour | 10% of workers in this occupation and area earned less than this. |
| 25th percentile | $25.29 per hour | 25% earned less than this. |
| Median (50th) | $32.73 per hour | Half earned less, half earned more. |
| 75th percentile | $40.00 per hour | 75% earned less than this. |
| 90th percentile | $49.79 per hour | 90% earned less than this. |
| Mean | $34.68 per hour | Arithmetic average of reported wages. |
Employment: BLS estimates 42,890 workers in this occupation nationally.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 53-7021 Crane and Tower Operators, National.
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.
Target metros
New York City and Northern New Jersey share the New York-Newark-Jersey City BLS area and one estimate, shown once below.
| Metro | Median | 25th to 75th percentile | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami-Fort Lauderdale-West Palm Beach, FL | $78,100 | $62,360 to $83,230 | 530 | 0.68 |
| Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, FL | $77,420 | $61,010 to $81,580 | 370 | 0.93 |
| Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, FL | $72,880 | $60,260 to $79,790 | 300 | 0.77 |
| Raleigh-Cary, NC | $72,520 | $60,540 to $84,280 | 170 | 0.82 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | $85,850 to $128,150 | 1,500 | 0.57 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX | $68,640 | $53,410 to $79,670 | 1,310 | 1.17 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX | $75,500 | $55,010 to $81,270 | 2,100 | 2.31 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | $41,460 to $67,440 | 1,880 | 1.51 |
How does Tower Crane Operator pay differ by industry?
These are national industry estimates for SOC 53-7021, not local offers or separate estimates for the niche title. Industry names are exactly as BLS publishes them.
| Industry | NAICS | Median | Basis | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Utilities | 22 | $104,980 | Annual | 110 |
| Utilities | 221000 | $104,980 | Annual | 110 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | 221100 | $95,150 | Annual | 70 |
| Construction | 23 | $79,050 | Annual | 17,550 |
| Construction of Buildings | 236000 | $76,830 | Annual | 1,710 |
| Residential Building Construction | 236100 | $81,350 | Annual | 90 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | 236200 | $76,740 | Annual | 1,630 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237000 | $77,820 | Annual | 3,480 |
| Utility System Construction | 237100 | $74,440 | Annual | 1,230 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | 237300 | $78,010 | Annual | 1,180 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | 237900 | $80,120 | Annual | 1,070 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | 238000 | $79,570 | Annual | 12,360 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | 238100 | $73,900 | Annual | 1,460 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | 238200 | $84,710 | Annual | 930 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | 238900 | $79,790 | Annual | 9,950 |
| Food Manufacturing | 311000 | $50,710 | Annual | 400 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | 311300 | $46,530 | Annual | 40 |
| Manufacturing | 31-33 | $52,510 | Annual | 10,480 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | 321000 | $55,140 | Annual | 540 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | 321100 | $46,990 | Annual | 220 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | 321200 | $74,540 | Annual | 280 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | 321900 | $50,950 | Annual | 40 |
| Paper Manufacturing | 322000 | $72,410 | Annual | 160 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | 322100 | $72,410 | Annual | 160 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324000 | $110,270 | Annual | 80 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | 324100 | $110,270 | Annual | 80 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | 325000 | $90,010 | Annual | 50 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | 3250A1 | $90,010 | Annual | 50 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | 326000 | $45,400 | Annual | 80 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | 326100 | $45,400 | Annual | 80 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | 327000 | $52,910 | Annual | 950 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | 331000 | $49,480 | Annual | 4,300 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | 331100 | $46,170 | Annual | 2,560 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | 331200 | $52,600 | Annual | 910 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | 331300 | $55,810 | Annual | 410 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | 331400 | $49,780 | Annual | 150 |
| Foundries | 331500 | $56,480 | Annual | 260 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 332000 | $46,700 | Annual | 1,740 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | 3320A1 | $50,550 | Annual | 250 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | 3320A2 | $48,600 | Annual | 920 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 332700 | $60,880 | Annual | 70 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | 332800 | $44,630 | Annual | 500 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | 333000 | $59,790 | Annual | 500 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | 3330A1 | $59,350 | Annual | 440 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | 333500 | $61,510 | Annual | 30 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | 336000 | $66,600 | Annual | 1,430 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 336200 | $43,510 | Annual | Not published by BLS |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 336300 | $44,270 | Annual | 210 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | 336400 | $78,410 | Annual | 480 |
| Ship and Boat Building | 336600 | $66,600 | Annual | 630 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339000 | $60,920 | Annual | 210 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | 339900 | $60,920 | Annual | 210 |
| Rail Transportation | 482000 | $75,760 | Annual | 240 |
| Rail Transportation | 482100 | $75,760 | Annual | 240 |
| Water Transportation | 483000 | $63,160 | Annual | 60 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | 483100 | $86,490 | Annual | 30 |
| Inland Water Transportation | 483200 | $60,480 | Annual | 30 |
| Truck Transportation | 484000 | $72,350 | Annual | 660 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | 488000 | $66,400 | Annual | 2,390 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | 488200 | $61,460 | Annual | 160 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | 488300 | $66,730 | Annual | 2,190 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493000 | $51,670 | Annual | 690 |
| Warehousing and Storage | 493100 | $51,670 | Annual | 690 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 53 | $113,900 | Annual | 1,770 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | 532000 | $113,900 | Annual | 1,760 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | 5320A1 | $113,900 | Annual | 1,760 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 54 | $81,400 | Annual | 80 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 541000 | $81,400 | Annual | 80 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | 541300 | $81,950 | Annual | 50 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | 561700 | $62,130 | Annual | 430 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | 562000 | $61,760 | Annual | 390 |
| Waste Collection | 562100 | $43,830 | Annual | 60 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | 562200 | $67,220 | Annual | 210 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | 562900 | $61,760 | Annual | 110 |
| Repair and Maintenance | 811000 | $75,450 | Annual | 150 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | 811300 | $75,450 | Annual | 140 |
Industry estimates are national. Do not combine an industry median with a local percentile to invent an industry-specific local rate.
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)Which metros publish the highest and lowest medians?
This ranking uses the May 2025 annual median for Crane and Tower Operators. It is not adjusted for living costs. A metro is a BLS statistical area, not just the city limits. Top-coded or suppressed medians are not ranked.
| Metro | Median | Employment | Location quotient | Trade median / all-occupations median |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Las Vegas-Henderson-North Las Vegas, NV | $131,690 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 2.82 |
| Worcester, MA | $122,260 | 110 | 1.16 | 2.11 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $120,560 | 170 | 1.38 | 2.11 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $120,310 | 40 | 1.17 | 2.10 |
| Mount Vernon-Anacortes, WA | $116,840 | 70 | 4.69 | 1.96 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $114,330 | 570 | 0.99 | 1.57 |
| Reno, NV | $101,160 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 2.04 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | 1,500 | 0.57 | 1.64 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 | 0.34 | 1.68 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $99,320 | 110 | 4.14 | 1.57 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,200 | 60 | 1.32 | 0.99 |
| Bangor, ME | $46,540 | 40 | 2.04 | 0.97 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,430 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 1.00 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,170 | 320 | 0.87 | 0.92 |
| San Angelo, TX | $45,950 | 40 | 2.94 | 1.06 |
| Decatur, AL | $45,640 | 100 | 6.07 | 0.99 |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,280 | 60 | 0.77 | 0.97 |
| Montgomery, AL | $44,480 | 40 | 0.95 | 0.99 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $44,330 | 90 | 3.33 | 1.12 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $42,380 | Not published by BLS | Not published by BLS | 0.93 |
The wage ratio is simple arithmetic: this occupation's median divided by the all-occupations median in the same area and unit. It is not a cost-of-living measure. Location quotient describes the concentration of employment, not relative pay. Neither predicts what a particular candidate will accept.
What do these published wages mean for an offer?
Skilled Trades Headhunters reads the May 2025 figures for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) as an offer reference, not a quote for a particular candidate. For Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator), the published median for SOC 53-7021, Crane and Tower Operators, is $68,080 per year. The middle half of the Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) wage distribution runs from $52,600 to $83,200, a width of $30,600 per year; that spread shows how much published pay varies within the occupation and area, without assigning experience levels.
For the national Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) comparison used for Tower Crane Operator, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX reports $75,500 per year while Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN reports $55,890 per year; these are the largest-employment metros with published medians for the occupation, rather than neighboring places to a national estimate. The United States Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) reference for Tower Crane Operator pools markets with different work scopes and schedules, so use the area table before setting a local offer.
The highest published medians among the selected national industry rows for Crane and Tower Operators, read alongside Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator), are Real Estate and Rental and Leasing at $113,900 per year (NAICS 53); Rental and Leasing Services at $113,900 per year (NAICS 532000); Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) at $113,900 per year (NAICS 5320A1). Those Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) industry comparisons are national cross-sections, not local industry estimates; BLS does not give us a metro-by-industry wage cut here, and overlapping industry groups should not be added together.
The Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) median was $66,370 per year in May 2024, compared with $68,080 in May 2025, a published difference of $1,710. That Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) comparison is between separate BLS releases, not the raise paid to the same workers or a projection of next year's offer. Read the $66,370 and $68,080 Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) estimates with both dates visible, because the employers and workers represented by the survey can change.
Before using $68,080 per year from Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) to calibrate an offer, separate overtime, per diem, lodging and mobilization separately; prevailing wage obligations and union scale depend on the assignment and agreement, not a special BLS traveling-worker percentile. The Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) BLS comparison measures straight-time gross wages, including commissions and production bonuses, but excludes overtime, shift differentials, nonproduction bonuses and benefits. A candidate's take-home pay and the employer's total cost for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) can therefore differ from the median without either number being an error.
The mapping for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) is broader: BLS groups Tower Crane Operator within Crane and Tower Operators; it does not publish this niche title or credential level separately. For a Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) opening, establish the equipment, license requirements and responsibility before deciding which people the pay range should attract. A broader occupation can combine jobs that a Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) buyer would screen separately, which is why the badge and SOC remain beside the figures.
Questions about this occupation and area
What does the middle-half band tell a Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) buyer?
Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) has a published middle-half band of $52,600 to $83,200, a width of $30,600 per year, with median $68,080. An offer inside that Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) band is not automatically competitive for every scope; match the required work and the separate pay terms first.
Which areas should I compare before hiring Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator)?
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX and Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN are the largest-employment comparison markets used for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator). Comparing those Crane and Tower Operators tables with the $68,080 Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) median does not measure commuting costs or predict what a particular applicant will accept.
Are the industry figures local to Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator)?
Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) uses national industry rows for SOC 53-7021, not local sector-specific wages. Real Estate and Rental and Leasing leads the selected sortable rows at $113,900 per year, but that national industry figure is not a quoted offer for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator).
What changed between the releases for Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator)?
Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) moved from $66,370 in May 2024 to $68,080 in May 2025. These Crane and Tower Operators (SOC 53-7021) in National (reference for Tower Crane Operator) published medians do not describe an individual raise or establish a future wage trend.
What changed since May 2024
SOC 53-7021. Published annual median: $66,370 (May 2024) and $68,080 (May 2025). These are two BLS releases, not a projection.