Crane and Tower Operators salary in Iowa
Crane and Tower Operators in Iowa earn a median of $67,600 a year ($32.50 an hour), based on BLS data for 650 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,650 for the top 10%. That is 1% lower than the national median of $68,080. Iowa ranks 24th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.42 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.5× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $67,390, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Iowa
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,480 | $22.83 |
| 25th percentile | $55,910 | $26.88 |
| Median | $67,600 | $32.50 |
| 75th percentile | $81,130 | $39.00 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $83,650 | $40.21 |
| Average (mean) | $67,390 | $32.40 |
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 | $5,633.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,816.67 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,600 |
| Weekly | $1,300 |
| Hourly | $32.50 |
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 Iowa
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $75,760 | 90 |
| 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 |
Related jobs in Iowa
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,490 | $20.91 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,590 | $22.88 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $37,470 | $18.02 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,850 | $23.97 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,900 | $27.36 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,250 | $21.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $51,450 | $24.74 |
| Dredge Operator | $57,990 | $27.88 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $50,960 | $24.50 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,070 | $27.92 |
| Light Truck Driver | $42,750 | $20.56 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $60,490 | $29.08 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Iowa
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 Iowa?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Iowa is $67,600 a year, or $32.50 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,480 for the lowest-paid 10% to $83,650 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Iowa?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Iowa earn at least $83,650 a year. The top 25% earn $81,130 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Iowa?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,480 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $55,910 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Iowa?
About 650 crane and tower operators are employed in Iowa, not counting the self-employed.