Crane and Tower Operators salary in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
Crane and Tower Operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn a median of $87,950 a year ($42.28 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $61,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,950 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is about the same as the Maryland statewide median of $87,950. There are 0.30 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $79,360, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| 25th percentile | $68,790 | $33.07 |
| Median | $87,950 | $42.28 |
| 75th percentile | $87,950 | $42.28 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,950 | $42.28 |
| Average (mean) | $79,360 | $38.16 |
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 | $7,329.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,664.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,382.69 |
| Weekly | $1,691.35 |
| Hourly | $42.28 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,120 | 410 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
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 Maryland statewide figures.
Related jobs in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,250 | $20.79 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,850 | $21.08 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,780 | $17.20 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,820 | $17.22 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $46,040 | $22.14 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $55,640 | $26.75 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,180 | $21.72 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,460 | $28.59 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,080 | $23.11 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $75,460 | $36.28 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,700 | $19.57 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $57,850 | $27.81 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD
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 Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area is $87,950 a year, or $42.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,950 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area earn at least $87,950 a year. The top 25% earn $87,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,450 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $68,790 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD?
About 410 crane and tower operators are employed in the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD metro area, not counting the self-employed.