Crane and Tower Operators pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands
In Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX), the median pay for crane and tower operators is $36.30 an hour ($75,500 a year). About 2,100 people work in this job there.
That is 11% higher than the U.S. median ($68,080). It is 3% higher than the Texas median ($73,280).
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $18.59 | $38,680 |
| 25% of workers | $26.45 | $55,010 |
| Half of workers (median) | $36.30 | $75,500 |
| 75% of workers | $39.07 | $81,270 |
| 90% of workers | $47.62 | $99,050 |
Crane and Tower Operators pay in Texas metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Midland | $79,220 | 150 |
| Killeen-Temple | $76,010 | 40 |
| Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (this page) | $75,500 | 2,100 |
| Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos | $75,360 | 230 |
| Odessa | $75,310 | 90 |
| Corpus Christi | $74,200 | 330 |
| Beaumont-Port Arthur | $73,050 | 240 |
| Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington | $68,640 | 1,310 |
| San Antonio-New Braunfels | $68,200 | 270 |
| El Paso | $62,280 | 120 |
| Waco | $61,350 | 50 |
| Longview | $60,830 | 0 |
| College Station-Bryan | $60,520 | 40 |
| McAllen-Edinburg-Mission | $56,300 | 50 |
| Tyler | $55,930 | 30 |
| Brownsville-Harlingen | $54,060 | 30 |
| San Angelo | $45,950 | 40 |
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 Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands (TX)
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,990 |
| Operating Engineers and Other Construction Equipment Operators | $51,040 |
| Mobile Heavy Equipment Mechanics, Except Engines | $62,410 |
| Riggers | $64,430 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,890 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,000 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,650 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $30,690 |
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Post a job freeFind jobsCheck pay for any jobSource: 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.