How much does a crane operators make in the United States?
This is the median gross salary: half earn more and half earn less. That is $3,246 a month.
- Approx. take-home per month
- $2,785
- Compared with the median pay in the United States
- 0.7 times
- Data from
- 2025
Where the United States ranks among 144 countries
Each line is a country, on a log scale from $100 to $200,000 a year.
In other countries
Median gross salary a year, in dollars.
| 1. Australia | $110,400 |
| 2. Iceland estimate | $86,290 |
| 3. Belgium estimate | $83,330 |
| 15. Canada | $47,100 |
| 16. United States | $38,950 |
| 17. Cyprus estimate | $37,940 |
| 144. Nigeria estimate | $479 |
Similar jobs
Plant and machine operators and assemblers
- Farm equipment operator$47,250
- Earthmoving and related plant operators$59,120
- Forklift operator$46,420
- Train driver$78,420
- Signalman$76,490
- Motorcyle courier$37,720
- Taxi driver$42,530
- Bus driver$48,860
By state
Median gross salary a year.
| Alaska | $51,680 |
| Washington | $46,110 |
| Hawaii | $45,570 |
| Maine | $42,200 |
| Vermont | $41,860 |
| Massachusetts | $41,690 |
| Oregon | $40,370 |
| New York | $40,310 |
| Wyoming | $40,120 |
| New Jersey | $38,890 |
See all 51 states
| Connecticut | $38,710 |
| California | $38,580 |
| Louisiana | $38,280 |
| Illinois | $38,240 |
| District of Columbia | $37,960 |
| Maryland | $37,820 |
| Arizona | $37,570 |
| Colorado | $37,490 |
| Delaware | $35,230 |
| New Hampshire | $35,140 |
| Virginia | $34,770 |
| Texas | $34,760 |
| Indiana | $34,360 |
| Kansas | $34,290 |
| Nebraska | $34,250 |
| North Dakota | $34,200 |
| New Mexico | $34,000 |
| Rhode Island | $34,000 |
| Nevada | $33,990 |
| Minnesota | $33,700 |
| Kentucky | $33,660 |
| Wisconsin | $33,470 |
| Florida | $32,810 |
| Tennessee | $32,750 |
| West Virginia | $32,460 |
| Iowa | $32,350 |
| South Dakota | $32,240 |
| Missouri | $32,130 |
| Michigan | $31,930 |
| Pennsylvania | $31,470 |
| Ohio | $31,250 |
| Georgia | $31,040 |
| Mississippi | $31,000 |
| Arkansas | $31,000 |
| Idaho | $30,860 |
| Montana | $30,540 |
| Oklahoma | $30,490 |
| Utah | $30,340 |
| South Carolina | $29,860 |
| Alabama | $29,530 |
| North Carolina | $29,340 |
Jobs in this group in the United States
Official name of each one and its median salary a year.
| Amusement and Recreation Attendant | $32,150 |
| Crane and Tower Operator | $68,080 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $57,700 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $56,450 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane operators make a month in the United States?
The median gross salary is $3,246 a month, $38,950 a year.
How much does a crane operators make starting out and with experience?
The lowest-paid 10%, usually people starting out, make around $26,080 a year; the top 10%, with experience or senior roles, make more than $54,280.
Which country pays a crane operators the most?
Australia, with a median of $110,400 a year before tax, according to our data.
Which state pays a crane operators the most?
Alaska, with a median of $51,680 a year.
Does a crane operators make more in the United States or in Germany?
In Germany: $55,700 a year against $38,950 in the United States, 1.4 times more.
Who makes more, a crane operators or a farm equipment operator?
A farm equipment operator: $47,250 a year against $38,950 for a crane operators, 1.2 times more.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS survey, 2025. How we calculate