Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Washington: $105,000 Average

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Average base salary, Washington

$105,000 / year

≈ $8,750 per month · $50.48 per hour

LocationOr metro area

BLS May 2025 state data for Washington · median $104,500

25th percentile
$82,000Average
$105,00075th percentile
$129,000

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025, aged to 2026 using compounded market movement. State selections show BLS state-level figures where published. Actual pay varies with experience, industry, and organization size.

Crane and Tower Operators salary by state

Alabama$63,500

Alaska$95,000

Arizona$72,500

Arkansas$46,500

California$90,000

Colorado$78,500

Connecticut$82,000

Delaware$64,500

Florida$74,000

Georgia$64,500

Hawaii$123,500

Idaho$68,000

Illinois$74,000

Indiana$59,500

Iowa$69,500

Kansas$75,500

Kentucky$66,000

Louisiana$65,500

Maine$68,500

Maryland$85,000

Massachusetts$104,000

Michigan$70,500

Minnesota$88,500

Mississippi$58,000

Missouri$66,000

Montana$84,500

Nebraska$63,500

Nevada$112,000

New Hampshire$67,500

New Jersey$106,000

New Mexico$66,000

New York$119,500

North Carolina$68,000

North Dakota$82,500

Ohio$65,000

Oklahoma$68,500

Oregon$95,000

Pennsylvania$71,000

Rhode Island$103,000

South Carolina$68,000

South Dakota$73,000

Tennessee$65,500

Texas$72,000

Utah$73,500

Vermont$78,500

Virginia$69,000

Washington$105,000

West Virginia$56,500

Wisconsin$75,000

Wyoming$82,000

About this role

Crane and Tower Operators is a professional role within the function in the Transportation and Material Moving job family.

Pay for this title reflects both its level and its scope; see our Title Level and Organization Responsibility guides for how WePayFairly defines them.

What Crane and Tower Operatorss do

Typical education: Post-Secondary Certificate

Determine load weights and check them against lifting capacities to prevent overload.
Move levers, depress foot pedals, or turn dials to operate cranes, cherry pickers, electromagnets, or other moving equipment for lifting, moving, or placing loads.
Inspect and adjust crane mechanisms or lifting accessories to prevent malfunctions or damage.
Inspect cables or grappling devices for wear and install or replace cables, as needed.
Direct helpers engaged in placing blocking or outrigging under cranes.

Top skills: Operation and Control Operations Monitoring Critical Thinking Monitoring Active Listening Time Management

Includes information from O*NET OnLine by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (CC BY 4.0).

Crane and Tower Operators pay by experience level

Entry level$44,000

Typical starting pay (about the 10th percentile)

Early career$54,500

A few years in (about the 25th percentile)

Experienced$70,500

Mid-career median pay

Senior$86,000

Seasoned professionals (about the 75th percentile)

Top earners$107,000

Highest earners (about the 90th percentile)

Experience tiers are derived from the BLS wage percentile distribution for this occupation, aged to 2026. Actual pay varies by employer, location, and specialization.

Job outlook

+3%

projected change in jobs, 2024–2034

3,800

projected openings per year

Growing about as fast as average

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections program (2024–2034). Openings include growth and replacement needs.

Crane and Tower Operators salary by industry

Specialty Trade Contractors

12,360 workers

$88,500

Other Specialty Trade Contractors

9,950 workers

$90,000

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods

4,320 workers

$53,500

Primary Metal Manufacturing

4,300 workers

$54,000

Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only)

4,090 workers

$52,500

Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction

3,480 workers

$85,000

Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing

2,560 workers

$51,500

Support Activities for Transportation

2,390 workers

$73,000

Support Activities for Water Transportation

2,190 workers

$74,000

Rental and Leasing Services

1,760 workers

$109,500

National sector-level figures, BLS OEWS May 2025, aged to 2026.

How this role compares

Crane and Tower Operators pays 8% above the average across 53 roles in the Transportation and Material Moving job family (family average $69,000).

Similar-paying roles in Transportation and Material Moving

Wellhead Pumper$73,000

Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators$77,000

Railroad Brake, Signal, and Switch Operators and Locomotive Firers$71,500

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers$71,000

Hoist and Winch Operators$70,000

Subway and Streetcar Operators$80,000

First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling$69,000

Railroad Conductors and Yardmasters$82,000

Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisor$67,500

Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers$66,000

Careers related to Crane and Tower Operators

Hoist and Winch Operators$70,000

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$50,000

Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$62,000

Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$71,500

Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$68,500

Rigger$69,000

Related occupations from O*NET OnLine, U.S. Department of Labor.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Crane and Tower Operators make?

The average base salary for a Crane and Tower Operators in the United States is $74,500 per year, or about $35.82 per hour.

What is the typical salary range?

Pay typically falls between $54,500 and $86,000 per year (25th to 75th percentile) depending on experience, location, industry, and organization size.

How does this compare with other Transportation and Material Moving roles?

The Transportation and Material Moving job family averages $69,000 across 53 roles tracked by WePayFairly.

Need a defensible market price for this role?
WePayFairly data is compiled from published survey sources and maintained by compensation professionals.

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