Crane and Tower Operators salary in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
Crane and Tower Operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn a median of $75,760 a year ($36.42 an hour), based on BLS data for 90 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,260 for the top 10%. That is 11% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 12% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $67,600. There are 0.23 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $72,200, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| 25th percentile | $61,950 | $29.78 |
| Median | $75,760 | $36.42 |
| 75th percentile | $83,650 | $40.21 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $89,260 | $42.91 |
| Average (mean) | $72,200 | $34.71 |
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 | $6,313.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,156.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,913.85 |
| Weekly | $1,456.92 |
| Hourly | $36.42 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $68,880 | 150 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $60,110 | 40 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,720 | n/a |
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 Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,800 | $17.69 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,370 | $22.29 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,080 | $23.60 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,770 | $17.68 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $56,990 | $27.40 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,200 | $20.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $61,340 | $29.49 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $46,330 | $22.27 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,210 | $22.22 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $34,680 | $16.68 |
| Parking Attendant | $30,080 | $14.46 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $58,930 | $28.33 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA
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 Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area is $75,760 a year, or $36.42 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,360 for the lowest-paid 10% to $89,260 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area earn at least $89,260 a year. The top 25% earn $83,650 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,360 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $61,950 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA?
About 90 crane and tower operators are employed in the Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.