Crane and Tower Operators salary in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
Crane and Tower Operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn a median of $80,880 a year ($38.89 an hour), based on BLS data for 320 workers.
Pay ranges from $46,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,340 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 26% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $64,120. There are 0.81 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.9× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $74,890, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,990 | $22.59 |
| 25th percentile | $60,140 | $28.92 |
| Median | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| 75th percentile | $80,880 | $38.89 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $97,340 | $46.80 |
| Average (mean) | $74,890 | $36.01 |
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 | $6,740 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,370 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,110.77 |
| Weekly | $1,555.38 |
| Hourly | $38.89 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $80,880 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Carolina at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Crane and Tower Operators salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,940 | 40 |
| Columbia, SC | $65,870 | 50 |
| Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC | $63,300 | 300 |
| Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC | $58,370 | 90 |
| Florence, SC | $48,100 | 60 |
| Spartanburg, SC | $47,200 | 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 South Carolina statewide figures.
Related jobs in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,090 | $18.31 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,620 | $17.60 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,890 | $22.54 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,310 | $16.98 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,200 | $14.04 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $37,890 | $18.22 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $34,400 | $16.54 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $55,150 | $26.52 |
| Light Truck Driver | $38,300 | $18.42 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,440 | $30.50 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,460 | $22.34 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels | $91,000 | $43.75 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Charleston-North Charleston, SC
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 Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area is $80,880 a year, or $38.89 an hour. Pay ranges from $46,990 for the lowest-paid 10% to $97,340 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area earn at least $97,340 a year. The top 25% earn $80,880 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $46,990 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $60,140 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Charleston-North Charleston, SC?
About 320 crane and tower operators are employed in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.