Crane and Tower Operators salary in Arizona
Crane and Tower Operators in Arizona earn a median of $67,350 a year ($32.38 an hour), based on BLS data for 930 workers.
Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,990 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $68,080. Arizona ranks 26th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.29 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $70,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Arizona
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $50,930 | $24.49 |
| 25th percentile | $58,460 | $28.10 |
| Median | $67,350 | $32.38 |
| 75th percentile | $79,550 | $38.25 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,990 | $42.31 |
| Average (mean) | $70,260 | $33.78 |
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 | $5,612.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,806.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,590.38 |
| Weekly | $1,295.19 |
| Hourly | $32.38 |
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 Arizona
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ | $72,580 | 630 |
| Prescott Valley-Prescott, AZ | $65,750 | 40 |
| Tucson, AZ | $64,750 | 100 |
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 Arizona
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,500 | $18.03 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,410 | $17.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,910 | $22.55 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,260 | $18.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $48,260 | $23.20 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,080 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,140 | $21.70 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,360 | $30.46 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,440 | $18.48 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,840 | $17.71 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Arizona
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 Arizona?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Arizona is $67,350 a year, or $32.38 an hour. Pay ranges from $50,930 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,990 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Arizona?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Arizona earn at least $87,990 a year. The top 25% earn $79,550 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Arizona?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $50,930 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $58,460 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Arizona?
About 930 crane and tower operators are employed in Arizona, not counting the self-employed.