Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Ohio (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Ohio Median
$57,620
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.70
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-15% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#46 of 50
1,780 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Ohio?

Crane and Tower Operators in Ohio take home a median of $57,620 annually — roughly $27.70 an hour — which runs 15% below the national median of $68,080.

Within Ohio, entry-level pay starts around $41,910 while the top 10% make $98,530 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,790 and $75,190 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Ohio

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$41,910$20.15
25th percentile (early career)$46,790$22.50
50th percentile (median)$57,620$27.70
75th percentile (experienced)$75,190$36.15
90th percentile (top earners)$98,530$47.37

How Ohio compares

Ohio ranks 46th 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 Ohio

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 Ohio pay ($57,620) 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 Ohio?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Ohio is $57,620 per year, or about $27.70 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $41,910 at the entry level to $98,530 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Ohio pay compare to the national average?
Ohio pays Crane and Tower Operators about 15% less than the national median of $68,080. Ohio ranks 46th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Ohio a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $57,620 a year. About 1,780 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Ohio. 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 Ohio?
The highest-paying occupations in Ohio include Surgeon, All Other ($554,220), Cardiologist ($504,260), Anesthesiologist ($490,530), 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.