Crane and Tower Operators salary in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
Crane and Tower Operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn a median of $53,600 a year ($25.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 110 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,620 for the top 10%. That is 21% lower than the national median of $68,080. Pay here is 10% lower than the Tennessee statewide median of $59,410. There are 0.18 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.66). The average (mean) salary is $59,310, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,050 | $18.29 |
| 25th percentile | $43,870 | $21.09 |
| Median | $53,600 | $25.77 |
| 75th percentile | $80,260 | $38.59 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,620 | $39.72 |
| Average (mean) | $59,310 | $28.52 |
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 | $4,466.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,233.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,061.54 |
| Weekly | $1,030.77 |
| Hourly | $25.77 |
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN | $76,750 | 210 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS | $64,520 | 140 |
| Jackson, MS | $63,610 | 100 |
| Jackson, TN | $59,410 | 70 |
| Knoxville, TN | $58,670 | 110 |
| Fayetteville-Springdale-Rogers, AR | $46,430 | n/a |
| Chattanooga, TN-GA | $45,280 | 60 |
| Fort Smith, AR-OK | $44,330 | 90 |
| Little Rock-North Little Rock-Conway, AR | $42,380 | n/a |
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 Tennessee statewide figures.
Related jobs in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,510 | $19.00 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,280 | $17.92 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $44,540 | $21.41 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,630 | $17.13 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $34,100 | $16.39 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $44,470 | $21.38 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $49,200 | $23.66 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $36,650 | $17.62 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $55,730 | $26.79 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,070 | $30.32 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,350 | $23.25 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Transportation and Material Moving Workers, Except Aircraft Cargo Handling Supervisors | $62,350 | $29.97 |
| Driver/Sales Worker | $40,610 | $19.52 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Memphis, TN-MS-AR
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 Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area is $53,600 a year, or $25.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,050 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area earn at least $82,620 a year. The top 25% earn $80,260 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,050 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $43,870 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Memphis, TN-MS-AR?
About 110 crane and tower operators are employed in the Memphis, TN-MS-AR metro area, not counting the self-employed.