Crane and Tower Operators salary in Illinois
Crane and Tower Operators in Illinois earn a median of $61,820 a year ($29.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,220 workers.
Pay ranges from $41,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,280 for the top 10%. That is 9% lower than the national median of $68,080. Illinois ranks 37th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.20 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.73). The average (mean) salary is $71,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Illinois
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $41,470 | $19.94 |
| 25th percentile | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Median | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| 75th percentile | $83,030 | $39.92 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $131,280 | $63.12 |
| Average (mean) | $71,380 | $34.32 |
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 | $5,151.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,575.83 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,377.69 |
| Weekly | $1,188.85 |
| Hourly | $29.72 |
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 cities in Illinois
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $69,270 | 110 |
| Paducah, KY-IL | $63,070 | 30 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Rockford, IL | $49,400 | 40 |
| St. Louis, MO-IL | $46,170 | 320 |
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 |
Related jobs in Illinois
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,550 | $19.50 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,680 | $18.11 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,720 | $22.94 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $36,090 | $17.35 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $75,050 | $36.08 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $44,290 | $21.29 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $118,210 | $56.83 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $51,440 | $24.73 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $39,870 | $19.17 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $92,310 | $44.38 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,320 | $29.00 |
| Light Truck Driver | $47,380 | $22.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,420 | $31.45 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Illinois
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 Illinois?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Illinois is $61,820 a year, or $29.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $41,470 for the lowest-paid 10% to $131,280 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Illinois?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Illinois earn at least $131,280 a year. The top 25% earn $83,030 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Illinois?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $41,470 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $46,170 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Illinois?
About 1,220 crane and tower operators are employed in Illinois, not counting the self-employed.