Crane and Tower Operators salary in Indiana
Crane and Tower Operators in Indiana earn a median of $52,950 a year ($25.46 an hour), based on BLS data for 2,300 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,640 for the top 10%. That is 22% lower than the national median of $68,080. Indiana ranks 48th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.72 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.6× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $57,330, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Indiana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,830 | $18.67 |
| 25th percentile | $40,450 | $19.45 |
| Median | $52,950 | $25.46 |
| 75th percentile | $66,070 | $31.76 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $87,640 | $42.13 |
| Average (mean) | $57,330 | $27.56 |
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 | $4,412.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,206.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,036.54 |
| Weekly | $1,018.27 |
| Hourly | $25.46 |
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 Indiana
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | $80,850 | 170 |
| Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN | $72,020 | 340 |
| Evansville, IN | $64,100 | 90 |
| Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN | $55,890 | 1,880 |
| Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN | $55,000 | 210 |
| Elkhart-Goshen, IN | $50,550 | 40 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $49,440 | 40 |
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 Indiana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,340 | $19.87 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,250 | $17.43 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,650 | $21.95 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,420 | $17.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,940 | $16.80 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $58,900 | $28.32 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $37,850 | $18.20 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $44,310 | $21.30 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $39,750 | $19.11 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,040 | $24.06 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $100,280 | $48.21 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $60,620 | $29.14 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,290 | $28.99 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Indiana
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 Indiana?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Indiana is $52,950 a year, or $25.46 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,830 for the lowest-paid 10% to $87,640 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Indiana?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Indiana earn at least $87,640 a year. The top 25% earn $66,070 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Indiana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,830 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $40,450 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Indiana?
About 2,300 crane and tower operators are employed in Indiana, not counting the self-employed.