Crane and Tower Operators salary in Fargo, ND-MN
Crane and Tower Operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn a median of $81,980 a year ($39.41 an hour), based on BLS data for 40 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,890 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 1% lower than the North Dakota statewide median of $82,890. There are 0.28 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $86,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Fargo, ND-MN
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,800 | $28.75 |
| 25th percentile | $74,410 | $35.77 |
| Median | $81,980 | $39.41 |
| 75th percentile | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $105,890 | $50.91 |
| Average (mean) | $86,980 | $41.82 |
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 | $6,831.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,415.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,153.08 |
| Weekly | $1,576.54 |
| Hourly | $39.41 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,230 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $63,960 | 70 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $57,680 | 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 North Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Fargo, ND-MN
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $45,690 | $21.97 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,880 | $17.73 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,460 | $18.01 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,840 | $22.04 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,180 | $14.03 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $60,840 | $29.25 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,170 | $22.68 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,460 | $30.51 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $38,350 | $18.44 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $46,840 | $22.52 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| Automotive and Watercraft Service Attendants | $37,720 | $18.14 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $48,890 | $23.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Fargo, ND-MN
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 Fargo, ND-MN?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area is $81,980 a year, or $39.41 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $105,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Fargo, ND-MN?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area earn at least $105,890 a year. The top 25% earn $105,890 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Fargo, ND-MN?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,800 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $74,410 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Fargo, ND-MN?
About 40 crane and tower operators are employed in the Fargo, ND-MN metro area, not counting the self-employed.