Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Kentucky (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Kentucky Median
$62,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$29.81
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-9% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#36 of 50
640 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Kentucky?

Crane and Tower Operators working in Kentucky earn a median salary of $62,000 per year, or about $29.81 per hour. That is 9% below the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.

Within Kentucky, entry-level pay starts around $40,810 while the top 10% make $89,660 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $45,830 and $80,040 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Kentucky

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,810$19.62
25th percentile (early career)$45,830$22.03
50th percentile (median)$62,000$29.81
75th percentile (experienced)$80,040$38.48
90th percentile (top earners)$89,660$43.11

How Kentucky compares

Kentucky ranks 36th 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 Kentucky

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 Kentucky pay ($62,000) 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 Kentucky?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Kentucky is $62,000 per year, or about $29.81 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,810 at the entry level to $89,660 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Kentucky pay compare to the national average?
Kentucky pays Crane and Tower Operators about 9% less than the national median of $68,080. Kentucky ranks 36th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Kentucky a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $62,000 a year. About 640 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Kentucky. 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 Kentucky?
The highest-paying occupations in Kentucky include Cardiologist ($558,180), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($350,950), Anesthesiologist ($347,960), 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.