Crane and Tower Operators salary in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
Crane and Tower Operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn a median of $73,010 a year ($35.10 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,100 for the top 10%. That is 7% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 15% lower than the New York statewide median of $85,850. There are 0.10 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.35). The average (mean) salary is $107,670, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,730 | $24.87 |
| 25th percentile | $60,580 | $29.12 |
| Median | $73,010 | $35.10 |
| 75th percentile | $110,490 | $53.12 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $314,100 | $151.01 |
| Average (mean) | $107,670 | $51.76 |
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 | $6,084.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,042.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,808.08 |
| Weekly | $1,404.04 |
| Hourly | $35.10 |
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 other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | 1,500 |
| Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY | $74,700 | 60 |
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 |
See Crane and Tower Operators pay in every state or the New York statewide figures.
Related jobs in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,220 | $18.38 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,640 | $20.98 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $50,770 | $24.41 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,900 | $17.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,080 | $17.83 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,580 | $23.84 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $46,740 | $22.47 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $41,360 | $19.88 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $50,300 | $24.18 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,160 | $30.37 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $37,240 | $17.90 |
| Parking Attendant | $33,180 | $15.95 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY
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 Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area is $73,010 a year, or $35.10 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,730 for the lowest-paid 10% to $314,100 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area earn at least $314,100 a year. The top 25% earn $110,490 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,730 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $60,580 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY?
About 40 crane and tower operators are employed in the Albany-Schenectady-Troy, NY metro area, not counting the self-employed.