Crane and Tower Operators Salary in Pennsylvania (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
Pennsylvania Median
$65,190
per year
Hourly Rate
$31.34
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-4% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#29 of 50
1,630 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in Pennsylvania?

Crane and Tower Operators in Pennsylvania take home a median of $65,190 annually — roughly $31.34 an hour — which runs 4% below the national median of $68,080.

Within Pennsylvania, entry-level pay starts around $44,320 while the top 10% make $106,380 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $53,770 and $75,070 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in Pennsylvania

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$44,320$21.31
25th percentile (early career)$53,770$25.85
50th percentile (median)$65,190$31.34
75th percentile (experienced)$75,070$36.09
90th percentile (top earners)$106,380$51.14

How Pennsylvania compares

Pennsylvania ranks 29th 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 Pennsylvania

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 Pennsylvania pay ($65,190) 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 Pennsylvania?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in Pennsylvania is $65,190 per year, or about $31.34 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,320 at the entry level to $106,380 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Pennsylvania pay compare to the national average?
Pennsylvania pays Crane and Tower Operators about 4% less than the national median of $68,080. Pennsylvania ranks 29th out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Pennsylvania a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $65,190 a year. About 1,630 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in Pennsylvania. 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 Pennsylvania?
The highest-paying occupations in Pennsylvania include Cardiologist ($579,120), Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons ($553,740), Anesthesiologist ($461,390), 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.