How much does a crane and tower operator make in Des Moines?
$75,760a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area. That is $36.42 an hour or $6,313 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.42
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among cities
- 55 of 167
- Jobs in the area
- 90
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $49,360Median: $75,760Highest 10%: $89,260
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $49,360 | $23.73 | |
| 25th | $61,950 | $29.78 | |
| Median | $75,760 | $36.42 | |
| 75th | $83,650 | $40.22 | |
| 90th | $89,260 | $42.91 |
Other cities in Iowa
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators.
| Davenport, IA | $69,270 |
| Omaha, NE | $68,880 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 |
Related jobs in Des Moines
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $161,000 |
| Commercial Pilot | $121,500 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Worker | $61,340 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Driver | $60,720 |
| Bus Driver | $58,930 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collector | $56,990 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operator | $49,080 |
| Laborer and Freight | $46,370 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 |
| Bus Driver | $46,210 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in Des Moines?
The median hourly pay in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $36.42 ($75,760 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in Des Moines than the national average?
Yes: $75,760 against $68,080 nationally, 11% more.
How does Des Moines compare with the rest of Iowa?
The median in Iowa is $67,600, so Des Moines pays 12% more.
Where does Des Moines rank for crane and tower operator pay?
55 of 167 metro areas with data.
How much does a crane and tower operator make starting out in Des Moines?
The lowest-paid 10% make $49,360 or less a year; the top 10% make $89,260 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.