How much does a crane and tower operator make in Houston?
$75,500a year
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area. That is $36.30 an hour or $6,292 a month.
- Hourly
- $36.30
- Vs. national median
- +11%
- Rank among cities
- 56 of 167
- Jobs in the area
- 2,100
Pay range
Lowest 10%: $38,680Median: $75,500Highest 10%: $99,050
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,680 | $18.60 | |
| 25th | $55,010 | $26.45 | |
| Median | $75,500 | $36.30 | |
| 75th | $81,270 | $39.07 | |
| 90th | $99,050 | $47.62 |
Other cities in Texas
Median yearly pay for crane and tower operators.
| Midland, TX | $79,220 |
| Austin, TX | $75,360 |
| Odessa, TX | $75,310 |
| Corpus Christi, TX | $74,200 |
| Beaumont, TX | $73,050 |
| Dallas, TX | $68,640 |
| San Antonio, TX | $68,200 |
| El Paso, TX | $62,280 |
| Waco, TX | $61,350 |
| Longview, TX | $60,830 |
| McAllen, TX | $56,300 |
Related jobs in Houston
Same field, median yearly pay.
| Airline Pilot | $307,700 |
| Commercial Pilot | $131,400 |
| Ship Engineer | $131,300 |
| Captain | $118,800 |
| Transportation Inspector | $92,570 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operator | $90,730 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $79,720 |
| Pump Operator | $76,670 |
| Dredge Operator | $72,960 |
| Tank Car | $61,220 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operator make an hour in Houston?
The median hourly pay in the Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX metro area is $36.30 ($75,500 a year).
Do crane and tower operators make more in Houston than the national average?
Yes: $75,500 against $68,080 nationally, 11% more.
How does Houston compare with the rest of Texas?
The median in Texas is $73,280, so Houston pays 3% more.
Where does Houston rank for crane and tower operator pay?
56 of 167 metro areas with data.
How much does a crane and tower operator make starting out in Houston?
The lowest-paid 10% make $38,680 or less a year; the top 10% make $99,050 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.