Crane and Tower Operators salary in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
Crane and Tower Operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn a median of $77,200 a year ($37.12 an hour), based on BLS data for 250 workers.
Pay ranges from $72,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,350 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is about the same as the Colorado statewide median of $77,120. There are 0.16 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.57). The average (mean) salary is $78,990, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $72,780 | $34.99 |
| 25th percentile | $77,120 | $37.08 |
| Median | $77,200 | $37.12 |
| 75th percentile | $79,040 | $38.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $92,350 | $44.40 |
| Average (mean) | $78,990 | $37.98 |
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 | $6,433.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,216.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,969.23 |
| Weekly | $1,484.62 |
| Hourly | $37.12 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Greeley, CO | $73,340 | 30 |
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 Colorado statewide figures.
Related jobs in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $44,480 | $21.39 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,290 | $22.25 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $41,350 | $19.88 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $61,190 | $29.42 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $47,020 | $22.60 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $65,110 | $31.30 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,430 | $19.44 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,900 | $30.72 |
| Light Truck Driver | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| Flight Attendant | $59,500 | — |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $69,250 | $33.29 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,600 | $22.40 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO
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 Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area is $77,200 a year, or $37.12 an hour. Pay ranges from $72,780 for the lowest-paid 10% to $92,350 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area earn at least $92,350 a year. The top 25% earn $79,040 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $72,780 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $77,120 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO?
About 250 crane and tower operators are employed in the Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO metro area, not counting the self-employed.