As of January 01, 2025, the average annual salary for a Crane Operator in the United States is $52,407. Salary.com reports that pay typically ranges from $46,752 to $60,154, with most professionals earning between $41,604 and $67,207.
| Annual Salary |
Monthly Pay |
Weekly Pay |
Hourly Wage |
|
| 75th Percentile | $60,154 | $5,013 | $1,157 | $29 |
| Average | $52,407 | $4,367 | $1,008 | $25 |
| 25th Percentile | $46,752 | $3,896 | $899 | $22 |
An entry-level Crane Operator with less than 1 year of experience earns about $50,151. With 1-2 years of experience, the average salary increases to $51,156. For 2-4 years of experience, the pay typically rises to $53,943. Senior-level professionals with 5-8 years of experience earn around $55,778, and those with over 8 years of experience can expect an average of $56,008.
| Levels | Salary |
|---|---|
| Entry Level Crane Operator | $50,151 |
| Intermediate Level Crane Operator | $51,156 |
| Senior Level Crane Operator | $53,943 |
| Specialist Level Crane Operator | $55,778 |
| Expert Level Crane Operator | $56,008 |
| Entry Level | 4% |
| Mid Level | 2% |
| Senior Level | 3% |
| Top Level | 6% |
| Experienced | 7% |
Salaries in the United States differ widely between states due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
What Am I Worth?
Salaries in the United States can vary greatly between cities due to factors like cost of living, local economies, and industry presence.
As of January 01, 2025, our research reveals a significant shift in Crane Operator compensation over the past six years. For example, the median salary increased from $49,882 in 2023 to approximately $50,195 in 2024. (For a detailed analysis of Crane Operator salary trends, click here.)
Key factors like location, experience, industry demand, and economic growth significantly influence salary variations, making them important to consider.
Salary.com job board provides millions of Crane Operator information for you to search for. Click on search button below to see Crane Operator job openings or enter a new job title here.
Here are companies hiring for Crane Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.
| Core Compensation | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Base Salary | $52,407 | 66.7% | ||
| Bonus | $971 | 1.2% | ||
| Value of Benefits | ||||
| Core Compensation | Median | % of Total | ||
| Social Security | $4,083 | 5.2% | ||
| 401K/403B | $2,242 | 2.9% | ||
| Disability | $1,068 | 1.4% | ||
| Healthcare | $8,352 | 10.6% | ||
| Pension | $2,882 | 3.7% | ||
| Time Off | $6,570 | 8.4% | ||
| Total Compensation | $78,576 | 100% | ||
The average annual salary of Crane Operator is $52,407. In case you are finding an easy salary calculator, the average hourly pay of Crane Operator is $25; the average weekly pay of Crane Operator is $1,008; the average monthly pay of Crane Operator is $4,367.
A Crane Operator's earning potential can vary widely depending on several factors, including location, industry, experience, education, and the specific employer. According to the latest salary data by Salary.com, a Crane Operator earns the most in San Jose, CA, where the annual salary of a Crane Operator is $65,771.
The highest pay for Crane Operator is $67,207.
The lowest pay for Crane Operator is $41,604.
Crane Operator operates a crane to lift, move, load, unload, or position heavy materials or equipment. Performs daily safety and performance checks of crane equipment and may perform routine maintenance such as cleaning and lubricating or checking fluid levels. Being a Crane Operator communicates via hand or radio signals to receive or convey instructions. Identifies and addresses potential hazards and adheres to all safety protocols. Additionally, Crane Operator maintains documentation of activities including time logs and inspection reports to ensure compliance with regulations and operating procedures. Typically requires a high school diploma. May require NCCCO Certification. May require State License. Typically reports to a supervisor. The Crane Operator works under moderate supervision. Gaining or has attained full proficiency in a specific area of discipline. To be a Crane Operator typically requires 1-3 years of related experience.
Specify the abilities and skills that a person needs in order to carry out the specified job duties. Each competency has five to ten behavioral assertions that can be observed, each with a corresponding performance level (from one to five) that is required for a particular job.
Planning: An act or process of making or carrying out plans. Establishment of goals, policies, and procedures for a social or economic unit city planning business planning.
Transportation: Refers to the mode of travel used to get from home to work most frequently. The transportation are bus, train, aeroplane, ship, car, etc while the mode of transportation refers to road, air, sea/ocean, etc.
Work Ethic: A belief that work and diligence have a moral benefit and an inherent ability, virtue or value to strengthen character and individual abilities. A set of values centered on importance of work and manifested by determination or desire to work hard.
Salary.com provides salary estimates, histograms, trends, and comparisons using data from employer job postings and third-party sources.
We offer detailed salary information across multiple percentiles for your reference. (Click here to learn Why the Salary Midpoint Formula Is Crucial for Achieving Pay Equity.)
With the most extensive online, real-time compensation data available, Salary.com helps you pinpoint your exact pay target.
