Crane and Tower Operators pay in Virginia
In Virginia, the median pay for crane and tower operators is $32.02 an hour ($66,600 a year). About 1,120 people work in this job there.
That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($68,080). Virginia ranks 27th of 50 states and territories for this job’s median pay.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Virginia
| Earns more than | Hourly | Yearly |
|---|---|---|
| 10% of workers | $20.54 | $42,720 |
| 25% of workers | $26.33 | $54,770 |
| Half of workers (median) | $32.02 | $66,600 |
| 75% of workers | $37.32 | $77,630 |
| 90% of workers | $42.54 | $88,480 |
Crane and Tower Operators pay in Virginia metro areas
| Metro area | Median yearly pay | People in this job |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk | $71,400 | 430 |
| Winchester | $63,480 | 40 |
| Richmond | $61,180 | 170 |
| Roanoke | $52,540 | 40 |
Virginia unemployment rate: 3.6% (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 Virginia
| Job | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,380 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,380 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,920 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,450 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,000 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,530 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $36,290 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,840 |
Other job titles for this job
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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.