Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Michigan (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Michigan Median
$59,740
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.72
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-12% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#43 of 50
1,310 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Michigan?

Crane and Tower Operators in Michigan take home a median of $59,740 annually — roughly $28.72 an hour — which runs 12% below the national median of $68,080.

Within Michigan, entry-level pay starts around $44,510 while the top 10% make $99,090 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $49,480 and $88,710 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Michigan

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,510$21.40
25th percentile (early career)$49,480$23.79
50th percentile (median)$59,740$28.72
75th percentile (experienced)$88,710$42.65
90th percentile (top earners)$99,090$47.64

How Michigan compares

Michigan ranks 43rd 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 Michigan

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 Michigan pay ($59,740) 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 Michigan?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Michigan is $59,740 per year, or about $28.72 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,510 at the entry level to $99,090 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Michigan pay compare to the national average?
Michigan pays Crane and Tower Operators about 12% less than the national median of $68,080. Michigan ranks 43rd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Michigan a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $59,740 a year. About 1,310 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Michigan. 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 Michigan?
The highest-paying occupations in Michigan include Radiologist ($485,920), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($428,570), Cardiologist ($419,030), 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.