Crane and Tower Operators salary in Michigan
Crane and Tower Operators in Michigan earn a median of $59,740 a year ($28.72 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,310 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,090 for the top 10%. That is 12% lower than the national median of $68,080. Michigan ranks 43rd of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.30 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $68,230, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Michigan
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| 25th percentile | $49,480 | $23.79 |
| Median | $59,740 | $28.72 |
| 75th percentile | $88,710 | $42.65 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $99,090 | $47.64 |
| Average (mean) | $68,230 | $32.80 |
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 | $4,978.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,489.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,297.69 |
| Weekly | $1,148.85 |
| Hourly | $28.72 |
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 Michigan
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Saginaw, MI | $76,750 | 30 |
| Detroit-Warren-Dearborn, MI | $59,740 | 650 |
| Grand Rapids-Wyoming-Kentwood, MI | $54,560 | 230 |
| Monroe, MI | $49,480 | 60 |
| South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI | $49,440 | 40 |
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 Michigan
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,930 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $38,860 | $18.68 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $45,220 | $21.74 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $35,340 | $16.99 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $33,890 | $16.29 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $51,030 | $24.53 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $39,340 | $18.91 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $47,630 | $22.90 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $57,900 | $27.84 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $44,090 | $21.20 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $40,070 | $19.27 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $78,240 | $37.62 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $69,540 | $33.43 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Michigan
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 Michigan?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Michigan is $59,740 a year, or $28.72 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $99,090 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Michigan?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Michigan earn at least $99,090 a year. The top 25% earn $88,710 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Michigan?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,510 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $49,480 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Michigan?
About 1,310 crane and tower operators are employed in Michigan, not counting the self-employed.