Crane and Tower Operators salary in Kansas City, MO-KS
Crane and Tower Operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn a median of $81,150 a year ($39.02 an hour), based on BLS data for 330 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,760 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 39% higher than the Missouri statewide median of $58,450. There are 0.30 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $76,660, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,710 | $19.57 |
| 25th percentile | $58,450 | $28.10 |
| Median | $81,150 | $39.02 |
| 75th percentile | $95,670 | $45.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $95,760 | $46.04 |
| Average (mean) | $76,660 | $36.86 |
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 | $6,762.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,381.25 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,121.15 |
| Weekly | $1,560.58 |
| Hourly | $39.02 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Wichita, KS | $78,180 | 340 |
| 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 |
See Crane and Tower Operators pay in every state or the Missouri statewide figures.
Related jobs in Kansas City, MO-KS
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $36,850 | $17.72 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,700 | $20.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $44,460 | $21.38 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $47,350 | $22.76 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $35,480 | $17.06 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $77,100 | $37.07 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $43,400 | $20.86 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $50,410 | $24.24 |
| Dredge Operator | $48,980 | $23.55 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $41,610 | $20.01 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $60,170 | $28.93 |
| Light Truck Driver | $45,290 | $21.77 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $63,610 | $30.58 |
| Bus Drivers, School | $48,110 | $23.13 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Kansas City, MO-KS
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 City, MO-KS?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area is $81,150 a year, or $39.02 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,710 for the lowest-paid 10% to $95,760 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Kansas City, MO-KS?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area earn at least $95,760 a year. The top 25% earn $95,670 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Kansas City, MO-KS?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,710 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $58,450 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Kansas City, MO-KS?
About 330 crane and tower operators are employed in the Kansas City, MO-KS metro area, not counting the self-employed.