Crane and Tower Operators Salary in South Carolina (2026)

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

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
South Carolina Median
$64,120
per year
Hourly Rate
$30.83
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-6% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#31 of 50
720 employed here

How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in South Carolina?

Crane and Tower Operators working in South Carolina earn a median salary of $64,120 per year, or about $30.83 per hour. That is 6% below the national median of $68,080 for this occupation.

Within South Carolina, entry-level pay starts around $45,420 while the top 10% make $89,440 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,100 and $80,880 a year.

Crane and Tower Operators salary range in South Carolina

Pay levelAnnual salaryHourly rate
10th percentile (entry level)$45,420$21.84
25th percentile (early career)$48,100$23.13
50th percentile (median)$64,120$30.83
75th percentile (experienced)$80,880$38.88
90th percentile (top earners)$89,440$43.00

How South Carolina compares

South Carolina ranks 31st 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 South 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 South Carolina pay ($64,120) 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 South Carolina?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in South Carolina is $64,120 per year, or about $30.83 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $45,420 at the entry level to $89,440 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Carolina pay compare to the national average?
South Carolina pays Crane and Tower Operators about 6% less than the national median of $68,080. South Carolina ranks 31st out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Carolina a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $64,120 a year. About 720 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in South 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 South Carolina?
The highest-paying occupations in South Carolina include General Internal Medicine Physician ($359,500), Neurologist ($352,680), Emergency Medicine Physician ($341,960), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.

← See the national Crane and Tower Operators salary report

Related salaries

Rail Yard Engineers, Dinkey Operators, and Hostlers

$60,600
median pay · 4,000 employed

Rail Transportation Worker, All Other

$56,360
median pay · 1,000 employed

Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators

$46,420
median pay · 774,000 employed

Airfield Operations Specialist

$56,850
median pay · 15,000 employed

Sailors and Marine Oilers

$51,520
median pay · 32,000 employed

Machine Feeders and Offbearers

$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.