California Median
$79,570
per year
Hourly Rate
$38.25
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+17% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#15 of 50
2,130 employed here
How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in California?
Crane and Tower Operators working in California earn a median salary of $79,570 per year, or about $38.25 per hour. That is 17% above the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $50,550 while the top 10% make $135,820 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $66,620 and $100,860 a year.
Crane and Tower Operators salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,550 | $24.30 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $66,620 | $32.03 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $79,570 | $38.25 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $100,860 | $48.49 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $135,820 | $65.30 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 15th out of 50 states and territories for Crane and Tower Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other states
Hawaii $124,260Nevada $115,840Rhode Island $104,340Washington $101,110New Jersey $100,640Massachusetts $98,150Alaska $92,490Maryland $87,950New York $85,850Oregon $83,260North Dakota $82,890Montana $82,800Connecticut $81,360Minnesota $80,930Wyoming $77,970Colorado $77,120Kansas $77,100Texas $73,280Vermont $72,760Florida $71,560South Dakota $71,000Wisconsin $67,720Iowa $67,600Utah $67,410Arizona $67,350Virginia $66,600Maine $65,690Pennsylvania $65,190North Carolina $64,480South Carolina $64,120Oklahoma $63,590New Hampshire $63,310New Mexico $62,400Georgia $62,050Kentucky $62,000Illinois $61,820Mississippi $61,260Louisiana $61,170Alabama $60,790Nebraska $60,720Delaware $60,160Michigan $59,740Tennessee $59,410Missouri $58,450Ohio $57,620West Virginia $54,830Indiana $52,950Idaho $52,770Arkansas $41,600
Working as Crane and Tower Operators in California
Nationally, about 43,000 people work as Crane and Tower Operators in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($79,570) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in California?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in California is $79,570 per year, or about $38.25 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $50,550 at the entry level to $135,820 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Crane and Tower Operators about 17% more than the national median of $68,080. California ranks 15th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $79,570 a year. About 2,130 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Crane and Tower Operators salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.