Crane and Tower Operators salary in Kansas
Crane and Tower Operators in Kansas earn a median of $77,100 a year ($37.07 an hour), based on BLS data for 780 workers.
Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%. That is 13% higher than the national median of $68,080. Kansas ranks 18th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.54 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.0× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,110, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Kansas
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $49,840 | $23.96 |
| 25th percentile | $59,410 | $28.56 |
| Median | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| 75th percentile | $86,910 | $41.78 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,500 | $47.84 |
| Average (mean) | $73,110 | $35.15 |
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 | $6,425 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,212.50 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,965.38 |
| Weekly | $1,482.69 |
| Hourly | $37.07 |
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 Kansas
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas City, MO-KS | $81,150 | 330 |
| Wichita, KS | $78,180 | 340 |
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 Kansas
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,450 | $17.04 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $40,250 | $19.35 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,370 | $17.96 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $45,510 | $21.88 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $40,030 | $19.25 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $62,400 | $30.00 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $47,930 | $23.04 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $107,730 | $51.79 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,920 | $28.33 |
| Light Truck Driver | $43,730 | $21.03 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,940 | $30.26 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $45,860 | $22.05 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas
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 Kansas?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Kansas is $77,100 a year, or $37.07 an hour. Pay ranges from $49,840 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,500 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Kansas?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Kansas earn at least $99,500 a year. The top 25% earn $86,910 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Kansas?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $49,840 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $59,410 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Kansas?
About 780 crane and tower operators are employed in Kansas, not counting the self-employed.