Illinois Median
$61,820
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#37 of 50
1,220 employed here
How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Illinois?
Crane and Tower Operators working in Illinois earn a median salary of $61,820 per year, or about $29.72 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $41,470 while the top 10% make $131,280 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,170 and $83,030 a year.
Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,470 | $19.94 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,170 | $22.20 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $61,820 | $29.72 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $83,030 | $39.92 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,280 | $63.12 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 37th 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 $80,930California $79,570Wyoming $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 $62,000Mississippi $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($61,820) 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 Illinois?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Illinois is $61,820 per year, or about $29.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,470 at the entry level to $131,280 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Crane and Tower Operators about 9% less than the national median of $68,080. Illinois ranks 37th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $61,820 a year. About 1,220 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.