Crane and Tower Operators pay in New York-Newark-Jersey City

In New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY), the median pay for crane and tower operators is $48.38 an hour ($100,640 a year). About 1,500 people work in this job there.

$48.38Median hourly pay
$85,850–$128,150Middle half of workers, yearly
1,500People in this job in New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

That is 48% higher than the U.S. median ($68,080). It is 17% higher than the New York median ($85,850).

Pay range for crane and tower operators in New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$32.32$67,220
25% of workers$41.27$85,850
Half of workers (median)$48.38$100,640
75% of workers$61.61$128,150
90% of workers$71.55$148,820

Crane and Tower Operators pay in New York metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
New York-Newark-Jersey City (this page)$100,6401,500
Buffalo-Cheektowaga$74,70060
Albany-Schenectady-Troy$73,01040

New York unemployment rate: 4.3% (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 New York-Newark-Jersey City (NY)

JobMedian yearly pay
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$46,930
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$95,050
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$78,060
Stockers and Order Fillers$38,600
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$43,290
Packers and Packagers, Hand$43,450
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$41,540
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$65,310

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.