Crane and Tower Operators salary in Montana
Crane and Tower Operators in Montana earn a median of $82,800 a year ($39.81 an hour), based on BLS data for 30 workers.
Pay ranges from $51,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,860 for the top 10%. That is 22% higher than the national median of $68,080. Montana ranks 12th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.07 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.25). The average (mean) salary is $81,740, close to the median.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Montana
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $51,970 | $24.99 |
| 25th percentile | $74,170 | $35.66 |
| Median | $82,800 | $39.81 |
| 75th percentile | $95,840 | $46.08 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $101,860 | $48.97 |
| Average (mean) | $81,740 | $39.30 |
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 | $6,900 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $3,450 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,184.62 |
| Weekly | $1,592.31 |
| Hourly | $39.81 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
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 Montana
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $39,050 | $18.77 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $36,510 | $17.55 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $34,960 | $16.81 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $48,060 | $23.10 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $38,760 | $18.64 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,420 | $23.76 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $57,620 | $27.70 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $83,750 | $40.27 |
| Wellhead Pumper | $57,830 | $27.80 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $80,070 | $38.50 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $71,770 | $34.51 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,870 | $28.30 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,420 | $22.32 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Montana
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 Montana?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Montana is $82,800 a year, or $39.81 an hour. Pay ranges from $51,970 for the lowest-paid 10% to $101,860 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Montana?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Montana earn at least $101,860 a year. The top 25% earn $95,840 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Montana?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $51,970 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $74,170 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Montana?
About 30 crane and tower operators are employed in Montana, not counting the self-employed.