How much does a crane and tower operator make in California?
$79,570a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in California. That is $38.25 an hour or $6,631 a month.
- Hourly
- $38.25
- Vs. national median
- +17%
- Rank among states
- 15 of 50
- Jobs in the state
- 2,130
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $50,550Median: $79,570Highest 10%: $135,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $50,550 | $24.30 | |
| 25th | $66,620 | $32.03 | |
| Median | $79,570 | $38.25 | |
| 75th | $100,900 | $48.49 | |
| 90th | $135,800 | $65.30 |
Cities in California
Metro areas, median yearly pay.
| San Francisco, CA | $98,410 |
| Los Angeles, CA | $81,490 |
| San Diego, CA | $79,720 |
| Oxnard, CA | $78,310 |
| Riverside, CA | $78,140 |
| Fresno, CA | $77,330 |
| Vallejo, CA | $77,320 |
| Stockton, CA | $77,130 |
| Bakersfield, CA | $70,840 |
| Sacramento, CA | $64,500 |
Nearby in the ranking
States with similar pay for crane and tower operators.
| 12. Montana | $82,800 |
| 13. Connecticut | $81,360 |
| 14. Minnesota | $80,930 |
| 15. California | $79,570 |
| 16. Wyoming | $77,970 |
| 17. Colorado | $77,120 |
| 18. Kansas | $77,100 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in California?
The median hourly pay in California is $38.25 ($79,570 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in California than the national average?
Yes: $79,570 against $68,080 nationally, 17% more.
Where does California rank for crane and tower operator pay?
California ranks 15 of 50 states.
Which city in California pays crane and tower operators the most?
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA, with a median of $98,410 a year.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS): pay in May 2025, published by BLS in 2026. Hourly pay is the yearly figure divided by 2,080 hours.