Crawler Crane Operator Salary in the United States

How much does a Crawler Crane Operator make in the United States?

As of October 01, 2026, the average salary for a Crawler Crane Operator in the United States is $47,868 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $23.

However, a Crawler Crane Operator's salary can vary significantly. Here’s a look at the typical salary range:

  • Top Earners (90th percentile): $59,493
  • Majority Range (25th-75th percentile): $41,388 to $53,953
  • Entry-Level (10th percentile): $35,489

Key Factors That Influence Crawler Crane Operator Salaries

A Crawler Crane Operator's salary isn't a fixed number. It's shaped by several important factors. Below, we'll explore how your years of experience, geographic location and company size can directly affect your earning potential.

How Experience Level Affects Crawler Crane Operator Salaries?

Experience is a primary driver of a Crawler Crane Operator's salary. As you build your skills and take on more complex tasks, your compensation generally increases. Here's how the average salary grows at different career stages:

  • Entry-Level (less than 1 year): $47,238
  • Early Career (1-2 years): $48,318
  • Mid-Level (2-4 years): $50,455
  • Senior-Level (5-8 years): $50,747
  • Expert (over 8 years): $51,232
Levels Salary
Entry Level Crawler Crane Operator$47,238
Intermediate Level Crawler Crane Operator$48,318
Senior Level Crawler Crane Operator$50,455
Specialist Level Crawler Crane Operator$50,747
Expert Level Crawler Crane Operator$51,232

Top Paying Cities for Crawler Crane Operators

Salaries can also vary between different cities. Major metropolitan areas or cities with a high demand for technicians often offer more competitive pay. Here are a few examples of average annual salaries in different U.S. cities:

  • San Jose: $60,376
  • San Francisco: $59,715
  • Oakland: $58,456

What Skills Can Increase a Crawler Crane Operator's Salary?

Demanded Skills for the Role:

  • Customer Service (Mentioned in 5.42% Job Postings): Customer service is the provision of service to customers before, during and after a purchase. The perception of success of such interactions is dependent on employees "who can adjust themselves to the personality of the guest". Customer service concerns the priority an organization assigns to customer service relative to components such as product innovation and pricing. In this sense, an organization that values good customer service may spend more money in training employees than the average organization or may proactively interview customers for feedback. From the point of view of an overall sales process engineering effort, customer service plays an important role in an organization's ability to generate income and revenue. From that perspective, customer service should be included as part of an overall approach to systematic improvement. One good customer service experience can change the entire perception a customer holds towards the organization.
  • Preventative Maintenance (Mentioned in 4.08% Job Postings): Developing and implementing maintenance strategies to increase equipment life expectancy and avoid unplanned downtime.
  • Telecommunications (Mentioned in 2.83% Job Postings): Telecommunication is the transmission of information by various types of technologies over wire, radio or optical. It has its origin in the desire of humans for communication over a distance greater than that feasible with the human voice.
Skills Demand Percentage
Customer Service 5.42%
Preventative Maintenance 4.08%
Telecommunications 2.83%

What skills can make your compensation higher?

Mastering certain specialized skills can lead to a significant increase in pay. Here are examples of skills and the potential impact they can have on a Crawler Crane Operator's salary.

  • Plumbing: Can increase your salary by up to 18%.
  • HVAC: Can increase your salary by up to 16%.
  • Carpentry: Can increase your salary by up to 15%.
Skill Salary Salary % Increase
Plumbing $56,484
18%
HVAC $55,527
16%
Carpentry $55,048
15%

Crawler Crane Operator Salary: Hourly Rate, Weekly Pay, and Monthly Pay

Understanding how a Crawler Crane Operator's annual salary breaks down can help with budgeting. Below, you can see the average hourly rate, weekly pay, and monthly pay for this role. Use the buttons to switch between different pay periods.

Last Updated on October 01, 2026
$41,388
Average $47,868/year
$53,953
$3,449
Average $3,989/month
$4,496
$796
Average $921/week
$1,038
$20
Average $23/hour
$26
Annual Salary Monthly Pay Weekly Pay Hourly Wage
75th Percentile $53,953 $4,496 $1,038 $26
Average $47,868 $3,989 $921 $23
25th Percentile $41,388 $3,449 $796 $20

Most common benefits for Crawler Crane Operator

  • Social Security
  • 401 (k)
  • Disability
  • Healthcare
  • Pension
  • Time Off (days)

Common company salaries for Crawler Crane Operator

Here are companies hiring for Crawler Crane Operator and their salaries, click below for more details.

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Where Does Our Salary Data Come From?

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.)

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