Crane and Tower Operators salary in Las Cruces, NM
Crane and Tower Operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn a median of $81,830 a year ($39.34 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,020 for the top 10%. That is 20% higher than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 31% higher than the New Mexico statewide median of $62,400. There are 0.64 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.3× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $73,450, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Las Cruces, NM
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,800 | $21.54 |
| 25th percentile | $51,670 | $24.84 |
| Median | $81,830 | $39.34 |
| 75th percentile | $99,020 | $47.61 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,020 | $47.61 |
| Average (mean) | $73,450 | $35.31 |
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 | $6,819.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,409.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,147.31 |
| Weekly | $1,573.65 |
| Hourly | $39.34 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 New Mexico statewide figures.
Related jobs in Las Cruces, NM
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $32,290 | $15.52 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $33,350 | $16.04 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $35,900 | $17.26 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $29,230 | $14.05 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $29,580 | $14.22 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $36,640 | $17.62 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| Light Truck Driver | $36,990 | $17.79 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $28,360 | $13.63 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $53,960 | $25.94 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $31,380 | $15.09 |
| Bus Drivers, Transit and Intercity | $46,430 | $22.32 |
| Transportation Inspector | $61,550 | $29.59 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Las Cruces, NM
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 Las Cruces, NM?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area is $81,830 a year, or $39.34 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,800 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,020 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Las Cruces, NM?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Las Cruces, NM metro area earn at least $99,020 a year. The top 25% earn $99,020 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Las Cruces, NM?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,800 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $51,670 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Las Cruces, NM?
About 50 crane and tower operators are employed in the Las Cruces, NM metro area, not counting the self-employed.