Crane and Tower Operators salary in Massachusetts
Crane and Tower Operators in Massachusetts earn a median of $98,150 a year ($47.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 680 workers.
Pay ranges from $59,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,790 for the top 10%. That is 44% higher than the national median of $68,080. Massachusetts ranks 6th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.19 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.68). The average (mean) salary is $100,260, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Massachusetts
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $59,860 | $28.78 |
| 25th percentile | $76,610 | $36.83 |
| Median | $98,150 | $47.19 |
| 75th percentile | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,790 | $62.40 |
| Average (mean) | $100,260 | $48.20 |
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 | $8,179.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,089.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,775 |
| Weekly | $1,887.50 |
| Hourly | $47.19 |
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 Massachusetts
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Worcester, MA | $122,260 | 110 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | $98,140 | 500 |
| Springfield, MA | $90,320 | 40 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $89,880 | 130 |
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 Massachusetts
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,540 | $18.05 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $44,920 | $21.60 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,200 | $16.44 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $38,630 | $18.57 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $43,510 | $20.92 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,150 | $20.75 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $71,750 | $34.49 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $62,240 | $29.93 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,030 | $30.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,110 | $23.13 |
| Shuttle Drivers and Chauffeurs | $43,590 | $20.96 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $65,570 | $31.52 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Massachusetts
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 Massachusetts?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Massachusetts is $98,150 a year, or $47.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $59,860 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,790 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Massachusetts?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Massachusetts earn at least $129,790 a year. The top 25% earn $129,790 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Massachusetts?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $59,860 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $76,610 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Massachusetts?
About 680 crane and tower operators are employed in Massachusetts, not counting the self-employed.