South Dakota Median
$71,000
per year
Hourly Rate
$34.13
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+4% vs US median
US median $68,080
State Rank
#22 of 50
120 employed here
How much do Crane and Tower Operators make in South Dakota?
Crane and Tower Operators in South Dakota take home a median of $71,000 annually — roughly $34.13 an hour — which runs 4% above the national median of $68,080.
Within South Dakota, entry-level pay starts around $58,370 while the top 10% make $93,600 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $61,080 and $77,450 a year.
Crane and Tower Operators salary range in South Dakota
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $58,370 | $28.06 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $61,080 | $29.37 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $71,000 | $34.13 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $77,450 | $37.24 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $93,600 | $45.00 |
|
How South Dakota compares
South Dakota ranks 22nd 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 $71,560Wisconsin $67,720Iowa $67,600Utah $67,410Arizona $67,350Virginia $66,600Maine $65,690Pennsylvania $65,190North Carolina $64,480South 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 South Dakota
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 Dakota pay ($71,000) 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 Dakota?
The median Crane and Tower Operators salary in South Dakota is $71,000 per year, or about $34.13 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $58,370 at the entry level to $93,600 for the top 10% of earners.
How does South Dakota pay compare to the national average?
South Dakota pays Crane and Tower Operators about 4% more than the national median of $68,080. South Dakota ranks 22nd out of 50 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is South Dakota a good state for Crane and Tower Operators?
Yes on pay — South Dakota pays above the national median for this occupation, at $71,000 a year. About 120 Crane and Tower Operators are employed in South Dakota. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in South Dakota?
The highest-paying occupations in South Dakota include Radiologist ($586,010), Emergency Medicine Physician ($393,870), Obstetricians and Gynecologists ($297,610), 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.