Crane and Tower Operators salary in Columbia, SC
Crane and Tower Operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn a median of $65,870 a year ($31.67 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $39,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,960 for the top 10%. That is 3% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 3% higher than the South Carolina statewide median of $64,120. There are 0.14 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.49). The average (mean) salary is $64,220, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Columbia, SC
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $39,370 | $18.93 |
| 25th percentile | $47,620 | $22.90 |
| Median | $65,870 | $31.67 |
| 75th percentile | $77,310 | $37.17 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $88,960 | $42.77 |
| Average (mean) | $64,220 | $30.87 |
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 | $5,489.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,744.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,533.46 |
| Weekly | $1,266.73 |
| Hourly | $31.67 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Charleston-North Charleston, SC | $80,880 | 320 |
| Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $76,940 | 40 |
| 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 Columbia, SC
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,180 | $17.88 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $37,530 | $18.04 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $43,500 | $20.91 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $31,240 | $15.02 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,380 | $16.53 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $34,800 | $16.73 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $37,230 | $17.90 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $51,280 | $24.65 |
| Light Truck Driver | $37,600 | $18.08 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,860 | $30.22 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $22,900 | $11.01 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $36,960 | $17.77 |
| Parking Attendant | $29,560 | $14.21 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $29,560 | $14.21 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Columbia, 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 Columbia, SC?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Columbia, SC metro area is $65,870 a year, or $31.67 an hour. Pay ranges from $39,370 for the lowest-paid 10% to $88,960 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Columbia, SC?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Columbia, SC metro area earn at least $88,960 a year. The top 25% earn $77,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Columbia, SC?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $39,370 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $47,620 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Columbia, SC?
About 50 crane and tower operators are employed in the Columbia, SC metro area, not counting the self-employed.