Crane and Tower Operators salary in Nebraska
Crane and Tower Operators in Nebraska earn a median of $60,720 a year ($29.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 410 workers.
Pay ranges from $36,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,410 for the top 10%. That is 11% lower than the national median of $68,080. Nebraska ranks 41st of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay. There are 0.40 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 1.4× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $61,510, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in Nebraska
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,140 | $17.38 |
| 25th percentile | $46,970 | $22.58 |
| Median | $60,720 | $29.19 |
| 75th percentile | $77,500 | $37.26 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $82,410 | $39.62 |
| Average (mean) | $61,510 | $29.57 |
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 | $5,060 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,530 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,335.38 |
| Weekly | $1,167.69 |
| Hourly | $29.19 |
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 Nebraska
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Lincoln, NE | $77,500 | 100 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $68,880 | 150 |
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 Nebraska
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $35,920 | $17.27 |
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $42,910 | $20.63 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,730 | $22.46 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,160 | $17.87 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $38,880 | $18.69 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $43,360 | $20.85 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $49,390 | $23.75 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $45,470 | $21.86 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $44,510 | $21.40 |
| Gas Compressor and Gas Pumping Station Operators | $64,620 | $31.07 |
| Dredge Operator | $45,290 | $21.78 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $46,170 | $22.20 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $46,300 | $22.26 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $58,390 | $28.07 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in Nebraska
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 Nebraska?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in Nebraska is $60,720 a year, or $29.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $36,140 for the lowest-paid 10% to $82,410 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in Nebraska?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in Nebraska earn at least $82,410 a year. The top 25% earn $77,500 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in Nebraska?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $36,140 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $46,970 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in Nebraska?
About 410 crane and tower operators are employed in Nebraska, not counting the self-employed.