Crane and Tower Operators salary in Alabama
Crane and Tower Operators in Alabama earn a median of $60,790 a year ($29.22 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,280 workers.
Pay ranges from $37,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,380 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $68,080. Alabama ranks 40th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.60 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.2× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,170, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Alabama
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $37,650 | $18.10 |
| 25th percentile | $44,750 | $21.52 |
| Median | $60,790 | $29.22 |
| 75th percentile | $74,150 | $35.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,380 | $47.78 |
| Average (mean) | $61,170 | $29.41 |
Half of crane and tower operators earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $5,065.83 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,532.92 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,338.08 |
| Weekly | $1,169.04 |
| Hourly | $29.22 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in cities in Alabama
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Mobile, AL | $65,510 | 260 |
| Anniston-Oxford, AL | $56,010 | 40 |
| Tuscaloosa, AL | $48,870 | 40 |
| Birmingham, AL | $47,620 | 310 |
| Decatur, AL | $45,640 | 100 |
| Montgomery, AL | $44,480 | 40 |
Highest-paying states for crane and tower operators
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $124,260 |
| Nevada | $115,840 |
| Rhode Island | $104,340 |
| Washington | $101,110 |
| New Jersey | $100,640 |
| Massachusetts | $98,150 |
| Alaska | $92,490 |
| Maryland | $87,950 |
| New York | $85,850 |
| Oregon | $83,260 |
Related jobs in Alabama
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,290 | $16.48 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $36,670 | $17.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,880 | $21.58 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,770 | $15.28 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,360 | $14.11 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,240 | $22.23 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $38,810 | $18.66 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $75,450 | $36.27 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $55,970 | $26.91 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $66,890 | $32.16 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $43,440 | $20.88 |
| Dredge Operator | $50,030 | $24.05 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $52,710 | $25.34 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $52,120 | $25.06 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Alabama
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 53-7021. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a crane and tower operators make in Alabama?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Alabama is $60,790 a year, or $29.22 an hour. Pay ranges from $37,650 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Alabama?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Alabama earn at least $99,380 a year. The top 25% earn $74,150 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Alabama?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $37,650 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $44,750 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Alabama?
About 1,280 crane and tower operators are employed in Alabama, not counting the self-employed.