Crane and Tower Operators pay in Texas

In Texas, the median pay for crane and tower operators is $35.23 an hour ($73,280 a year). About 6,010 people work in this job there.

$35.23Median hourly pay
$57,020–$79,880Middle half of workers, yearly
6,010People in this job in Texas

That is 8% higher than the U.S. median ($68,080). Texas ranks 19th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.

Pay range for crane and tower operators in Texas

Earns more thanHourlyYearly
10% of workers$20.57$42,790
25% of workers$27.41$57,020
Half of workers (median)$35.23$73,280
75% of workers$38.40$79,880
90% of workers$44.90$93,390

Crane and Tower Operators pay in Texas metro areas

Metro areaMedian yearly payPeople in this job
Midland$79,220150
Killeen-Temple$76,01040
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands$75,5002,100
Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos$75,360230
Odessa$75,31090
Corpus Christi$74,200330
Beaumont-Port Arthur$73,050240
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington$68,6401,310
San Antonio-New Braunfels$68,200270
El Paso$62,280120
Waco$61,35050
Longview$60,8300
College Station-Bryan$60,52040
McAllen-Edinburg-Mission$56,30050
Tyler$55,93030
Brownsville-Harlingen$54,06030
San Angelo$45,95040

Texas unemployment rate: 4.4% (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 Texas

JobMedian yearly pay
Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators$45,450
Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators$50,460
Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines$61,940
Excavating and Loading Machine and Dragline Operators, Surface Mining$49,000
Riggers$51,980
Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders$61,170
Stockers and Order Fillers$36,840
Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand$37,540

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.