Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Missouri (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Missouri Median
$58,450
per year
Hourly Rate
$28.10
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-14% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#45 of 50
630 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Missouri?

Crane and Tower Operators working in Missouri earn a median salary of $58,450 per year, or about $28.10 per hour. That is 14% below the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.

Within Missouri, entry-level pay starts around $40,680 while the top 10% make $95,580 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,210 and $81,740 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Missouri

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$40,680$19.56
25th percentile (early career)$41,210$19.81
50th percentile (median)$58,450$28.10
75th percentile (experienced)$81,740$39.30
90th percentile (top earners)$95,580$45.95

How Missouri compares

Missouri ranks 45th 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 Missouri

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 Missouri pay ($58,450) 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 Missouri?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Missouri is $58,450 per year, or about $28.10 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $40,680 at the entry level to $95,580 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Missouri pay compare to the national average?
Missouri pays Crane and Tower Operators about 14% less than the national median of $68,080. Missouri ranks 45th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Missouri a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $58,450 a year. About 630 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Missouri. 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 Missouri?
The highest-paying occupations in Missouri include Orthopedic Surgeon, Except Pediatric ($842,800), Cardiologist ($648,070), Emergency Medicine Physician ($456,280), 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.