Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Indiana (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Crane and Tower Operators in Indiana, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Indiana Median
$52,950
per year
Hourly Rate
$25.46
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-22% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#48 of 50
2,300 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Indiana?

Crane and Tower Operators working in Indiana earn a median salary of $52,950 per year, or about $25.46 per hour. That is 22% below the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.

Within Indiana, entry-level pay starts around $38,830 while the top 10% make $87,640 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $40,450 and $66,070 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Indiana

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$38,830$18.67
25th percentile (early career)$40,450$19.45
50th percentile (median)$52,950$25.46
75th percentile (experienced)$66,070$31.76
90th percentile (top earners)$87,640$42.13

How Indiana compares

Indiana ranks 48th out of 50 states and territories for Crane and Tower Operators pay. The top 5 best-paying states:

RankStateMedian salary
1Hawaii$124,260
2Nevada$115,840
3Rhode Island$104,340
4Washington$101,110
5New Jersey$100,640

Working as Crane and Tower Operators in Indiana

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 Indiana pay ($52,950) 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 Indiana?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Indiana is $52,950 per year, or about $25.46 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,830 at the entry level to $87,640 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Indiana pay compare to the national average?
Indiana pays Crane and Tower Operators about 22% less than the national median of $68,080. Indiana ranks 48th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Indiana a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $52,950 a year. About 2,300 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Indiana. 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 Indiana?
The highest-paying occupations in Indiana include Cardiologist ($588,890), Surgeon, All Other ($459,300), Radiologist ($430,640), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Crane and Tower Operators salary report

Related salaries

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

$60,600
median pay · 4,000 employed

Rail Transportation Worker, All Other

$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed

Airfield Operations Specialist

$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed

Sailors and Marine Oilers

$51,520
median pay · 32,000 employed

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

$41,220
median pay · 42,000 employed
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.