Crane and Tower Operators salary in Maryland
Crane and Tower Operators in Maryland earn a median of $87,950 a year ($42.28 an hour), based on BLS data for this job.
Pay ranges from $61,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,700 for the top 10%. That is 29% higher than the national median of $68,080. Maryland ranks 8th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. The average (mean) salary is $82,070, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Maryland
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $61,450 | $29.54 |
| 25th percentile | $73,240 | $35.21 |
| Median | $87,950 | $42.28 |
| 75th percentile | $87,950 | $42.29 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $94,700 | $45.53 |
| Average (mean) | $82,070 | $39.46 |
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 | $7,329.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,664.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,382.69 |
| Weekly | $1,691.35 |
| Hourly | $42.28 |
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 Maryland
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV | $92,120 | 410 |
| Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD | $87,950 | 410 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
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 Maryland
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $41,600 | $20.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,690 | $18.12 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,630 | $21.94 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,390 | $17.49 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,860 | $17.24 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $41,870 | $20.13 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $51,190 | $24.61 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $99,840 | $48.00 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $41,590 | $19.99 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $81,320 | $39.10 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $56,120 | $26.98 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,150 | $23.15 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $74,070 | $35.61 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Maryland
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 Maryland?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Maryland is $87,950 a year, or $42.28 an hour. Pay ranges from $61,450 for the lowest-paid 10% to $94,700 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Maryland?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Maryland earn at least $94,700 a year. The top 25% earn $87,950 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Maryland?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $61,450 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $73,240 or less.