Crane and Tower Operators Salary in California
Crane and Tower Operators in California earn a median annual wage of $79,570 —16.9% above the national median of $68,080. That ranks CA #15 of 50 covered states and territories for this occupation.
Wage distribution
How earnings are spread across workers in this occupation, from the 10th to the 90th percentile.
Employment is only 0.42× as concentrated as the national average — this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Highest-paying states for crane and tower operators
All 50 states ranked by median annual wage. California is highlighted.
| # | State | Median annual | Median hourly | Employment | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hawaii | $124,260 | $59.74 | 190 | 1.10 |
| 2 | Nevada | $115,840 | $55.69 | 380 | 0.89 |
| 3 | Rhode Island | $104,340 | $50.16 | — | — |
| 4 | Washington | $101,110 | $48.61 | 1,030 | 1.05 |
| 5 | New Jersey | $100,640 | $48.39 | 1,000 | 0.84 |
| 6 | Massachusetts | $98,150 | $47.19 | 680 | 0.68 |
| 7 | Alaska | $92,490 | $44.47 | 50 | 0.58 |
| 8 | Maryland | $87,950 | $42.28 | — | — |
| 9 | New York | $85,850 | $41.27 | 1,150 | 0.43 |
| 10 | Oregon | $83,260 | $40.03 | 340 | 0.63 |
Related occupations in California
Occupations in the same job family, compared within California.
| Occupation | California median | U.S. median |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,710 | $40,240 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $42,870 | $37,330 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,230 | $58,640 |
| Light Truck Drivers | $46,790 | $44,860 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,770 | $46,420 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,550 | $62,890 |
Frequently asked questions
How much do crane and tower operators make in California?
The median annual wage for crane and tower operators in California is $79,570, or $38.25 per hour. That is 16.9% above the national median of $68,080.
What is the entry-level crane and tower operators salary in California?
Workers at the 10th percentile earn $50,550 per year ($24.30/hour). The 25th percentile is $66,620.
How many people work as crane and tower operators in California?
About 2,130 people work in this occupation in California, or 0.1 per 1,000 jobs statewide.
Is California a good state for crane and tower operators?
California ranks #15 of 50 states by median wage for this occupation. Employment is only 0.42x as concentrated as the national average, so this occupation is relatively scarce in California.
Which state pays crane and tower operators the most?
Hawaii has the highest median wage at $124,260 per year, followed by Nevada ($115,840) and Rhode Island ($104,340).