North Carolina Median
$64,480
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.00
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#30 of 50
1,050 employed here
How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in North Carolina?
Crane and Tower Operators in North Carolina take home a median of $64,480 annually — roughly $31.00 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $68,080.
Within North Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $46,530 while the top 10% make $82,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $55,070 and $77,670 a year.
Crane and Tower Operators salary range in North Carolina
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,530 | $22.37 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $55,070 | $26.48 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $64,480 | $31.00 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,670 | $37.34 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,730 | $39.77 |
|
How North Carolina compares
North Carolina ranks 30th 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 $65,190South Carolina $64,120Oklahoma $63,590New Hampshire $63,310New Mexico $62,400Georgia $62,050Kentucky $62,000Illinois $61,820Mississippi $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 North Carolina
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 North Carolina pay ($64,480) 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 North Carolina?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in North Carolina is $64,480 per year, or about $31.00 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,530 at the entry level to $82,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does North Carolina pay compare to the national average?
North Carolina pays Crane and Tower Operators about 5% less than the national median of $68,080. North Carolina ranks 30th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is North Carolina a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,480 a year. About 1,050 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in North Carolina. 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 North Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in North Carolina include Surgeon, All Other ($398,410), Dermatologist ($367,350), Emergency Medicine Physician ($339,350), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Crane and Tower Operators salary report
Related salaries
$60,600
median pay · 4,000 employed
$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed
$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed
$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed
$51,520
median pay · 32,000 employed
$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.