Crane and Tower Operators salary in Chattanooga, TN-GA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn a median of $45,280 a year ($21.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 60 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,940 for the top 10%. That is 33% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 24% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $59,410. There are 0.21 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.77). The average (mean) salary is $54,140, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,740 | $18.63 |
| 25th percentile | $42,600 | $20.48 |
| Median | $45,280 | $21.77 |
| 75th percentile | $67,850 | $32.62 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $77,940 | $37.47 |
| Average (mean) | $54,140 | $26.03 |
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 | $3,773.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $1,886.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,741.54 |
| Weekly | $870.77 |
| Hourly | $21.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,940 | 40 |
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $76,750 | 210 |
| Savannah, GA | $72,660 | 160 |
| Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA | $62,910 | 660 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,410 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,670 | 110 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR | $53,600 | 110 |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Chattanooga, TN-GA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,830 | $18.19 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $34,410 | $16.54 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $40,260 | $19.36 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,180 | $16.92 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $31,270 | $15.03 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $49,910 | $24.00 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $57,440 | $27.62 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,990 | $24.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,270 | $29.94 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $42,460 | $20.42 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $30,180 | $14.51 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $30,120 | $14.48 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Chattanooga, TN-GA
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 Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area is $45,280 a year, or $21.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,740 for the lowest-paid 10% to $77,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area earn at least $77,940 a year. The top 25% earn $67,850 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,740 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $42,600 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Chattanooga, TN-GA?
About 60 crane and tower operators are employed in the Chattanooga, TN-GA metro area, not counting the self-employed.