Crane and Tower Operators pay in Tennessee

In Tennessee, the median pay for crane and tower operators is $28.56 an hour ($59,410 a year). About 660 people work in this job there.

$28.56Median hourly pay
$45,910–$78,920Middle half of workers, yearly
660People in this job in Tennessee

That is 13% lower than the U.S. median ($68,080). Tennessee ranks 44th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for crane and tower operators in Tennessee

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$19.66$40,890
25% of workers$22.07$45,910
Half of workers (median)$28.56$59,410
75% of workers$37.94$78,920
90% of workers$40.43$84,090

Crane and Tower Operators pay in Tennessee metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin$76,750210
Jackson$59,41070
Knoxville$58,670110
Memphis$53,600110
Chattanooga$45,28060

Tennessee unemployment rate: 3.4% (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 Tennessee

JobMedian yearly pay
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$42,100
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$52,000
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$61,880
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$49,500
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$38,160
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,140
Packers and Packagers, Hand$35,980
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment$34,950

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.