How much does a crane and tower operator make in Columbia?
$65,870a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in the Columbia, SC metro area. That is $31.67 an hour or $5,489 a month.
- Hourly
- $31.67
- Vs. national median
- -3%
- Rank among cities
- 93 of 167
- Jobs in the area
- 50
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $39,370Median: $65,870Highest 10%: $88,960
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,370 | $18.93 | |
| 25th | $47,620 | $22.89 | |
| Median | $65,870 | $31.67 | |
| 75th | $77,310 | $37.17 | |
| 90th | $88,960 | $42.77 |
Other cities in South Carolina
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators.
| Charleston, SC | $80,880 |
| Charlotte, NC | $63,300 |
| Greenville, SC | $58,370 |
| Florence, SC | $48,100 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,200 |
Related jobs in Columbia
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Commercial Pilot | $92,300 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $62,860 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $51,280 |
| Bus Driver | $44,750 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $43,500 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 |
| Laborer and Freight | $37,530 |
| Conveyor Operator and Tender | $37,230 |
| Stocker and Order Filler | $37,180 |
| Bus Driver | $36,960 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in Columbia?
The median hourly pay in the Columbia, SC metro area is $31.67 ($65,870 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in Columbia than the national average?
No: $65,870 against $68,080 nationally, 3% less.
How does Columbia compare with the rest of South Carolina?
The median in South Carolina is $64,120, so Columbia pays 3% more.
Where does Columbia rank for crane and tower operator pay?
93 of 167 metro areas with data.
How much does a crane and tower operator make starting out in Columbia?
The lowest-paid 10% make $39,370 or less a year; the top 10% make $88,960 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.