Crane and Tower Operators pay in Iowa

In Iowa, the median pay for crane and tower operators is $32.50 an hour ($67,600 a year). About 650 people work in this job there.

$32.50Median hourly pay
$55,910–$81,130Middle half of workers, yearly
650People in this job in Iowa

That is about the same as the U.S. median ($68,080). Iowa ranks 24th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for crane and tower operators in Iowa

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$22.83$47,480
25% of workers$26.88$55,910
Half of workers (median)$32.50$67,600
75% of workers$39.00$81,130
90% of workers$40.21$83,650

Crane and Tower Operators pay in Iowa metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Des Moines-West Des Moines$75,76090
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island$69,270110
Waterloo-Cedar Falls$60,11040
Dubuque$49,7200

Iowa unemployment rate: 3.2% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for crane and tower operators

  • Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
  • Related work experience most have: 6 months to 1 year (O*NET)
  • Experience usually needed to start: Less than 5 years (BLS)
  • Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
  • Job outlook: +3.8% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 3,500 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Iowa

JobMedian yearly pay
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$47,590
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$60,330
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64,290
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$59,390
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$43,490
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,640
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$35,920
Packers and Packagers, Hand$37,470

Other job titles for this job

Cell Tower TechnicianCell Tower TechAcid Crane OperatorBoom Cat OperatorBoom Crane OperatorBoomswing OperatorBottom Crane OperatorBridge Crane OperatorBurial Vault DelivererBurial Vault InstallerCantilever Crane OperatorCertified Crane Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.