How much does a crane and tower operator make in Chicago?
$55,890a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area. That is $26.87 an hour or $4,658 a month.
- Hourly
- $26.87
- Vs. national median
- -18%
- Rank among cities
- 139 of 167
- Jobs in the area
- 1,880
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $40,290Median: $55,890Highest 10%: $107,800
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,290 | $19.37 | |
| 25th | $41,460 | $19.93 | |
| Median | $55,890 | $26.87 | |
| 75th | $67,440 | $32.42 | |
| 90th | $107,800 | $51.81 |
Other cities in Illinois
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators.
| Davenport, IA | $69,270 |
| St. Louis, MO | $46,170 |
Related jobs in Chicago
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $293,500 |
| Air Traffic Controller | $189,800 |
| Commercial Pilot | $157,400 |
| Hoist and Winch Operator | $118,200 |
| Railroad Conductor and Yardmaster | $96,120 |
| Ship Engineer | $77,770 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $77,470 |
| Captain | $76,530 |
| Bridge and Lock Tender | $73,110 |
| Railroad Brake | $72,180 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in Chicago?
The median hourly pay in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN metro area is $26.87 ($55,890 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in Chicago than the national average?
No: $55,890 against $68,080 nationally, 18% less.
How does Chicago compare with the rest of Illinois?
The median in Illinois is $61,820, so Chicago pays 10% less.
Where does Chicago rank for crane and tower operator pay?
139 of 167 metro areas with data.
How much does a crane and tower operator make starting out in Chicago?
The lowest-paid 10% make $40,290 or less a year; the top 10% make $107,800 or more.
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.