Crane and Tower Operators salary in Minnesota
Crane and Tower Operators in Minnesota earn a median of $80,930 a year ($38.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 370 workers.
Pay ranges from $52,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,890 for the top 10%. That is 19% higher than the national median of $68,080. Minnesota ranks 14th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.13 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.45). The average (mean) salary is $85,490, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Minnesota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $52,590 | $25.28 |
| 25th percentile | $58,210 | $27.98 |
| Median | $80,930 | $38.91 |
| 75th percentile | $114,480 | $55.04 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $116,890 | $56.20 |
| Average (mean) | $85,490 | $41.10 |
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 | $6,744.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,372.08 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,112.69 |
| Weekly | $1,556.35 |
| Hourly | $38.91 |
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 Minnesota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI | $99,540 | 180 |
| Fargo, ND-MN | $81,980 | 40 |
| Duluth, MN-WI | $75,230 | 40 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $63,960 | 70 |
| St. Cloud, MN | $57,680 | 30 |
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 Minnesota
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $46,280 | $22.25 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,120 | $17.85 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $49,740 | $23.91 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $40,310 | $19.38 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,580 | $18.07 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $62,570 | $30.08 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $53,160 | $25.56 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,000 | $20.68 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $48,740 | $23.43 |
| Hoist and Winch Operators | $78,400 | $37.69 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $59,700 | $28.70 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $76,620 | $36.84 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $61,990 | $29.80 |
| Light Truck Driver | $48,880 | $23.50 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Minnesota
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 Minnesota?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Minnesota is $80,930 a year, or $38.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $52,590 for the lowest-paid 10% to $116,890 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Minnesota?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Minnesota earn at least $116,890 a year. The top 25% earn $114,480 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Minnesota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $52,590 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $58,210 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Minnesota?
About 370 crane and tower operators are employed in Minnesota, not counting the self-employed.