Crane and Tower Operators pay in North Carolina

In North Carolina, the median pay for crane and tower operators is $31.00 an hour ($64,480 a year). About 1,050 people work in this job there.

$31.00Median hourly pay
$55,070–$77,670Middle half of workers, yearly
1,050People in this job in North Carolina

That is 5% lower than the U.S. median ($68,080). North Carolina ranks 30th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for crane and tower operators in North Carolina

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$22.37$46,530
25% of workers$26.48$55,070
Half of workers (median)$31.00$64,480
75% of workers$37.34$77,670
90% of workers$39.77$82,730

Crane and Tower Operators pay in North Carolina metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Durham-Chapel Hill$73,71040
Rocky Mount$73,42030
Raleigh-Cary$72,520170
Wilmington$68,67060
Winston-Salem$67,280100
Greensboro-High Point$64,73080
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia$63,300300

North Carolina unemployment rate: 3.5% (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 North Carolina

JobMedian yearly pay
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$43,420
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$49,310
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$64,080
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,230
Stockers and Order Fillers$35,950
Packers and Packagers, Hand$34,360
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$33,470
Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors$44,670

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.