Crane and Tower Operators salary in New Jersey
Crane and Tower Operators in New Jersey earn a median of $100,640 a year ($48.39 an hour), based on BLS data for 1,000 workers.
Pay ranges from $65,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,570 for the top 10%. That is 48% higher than the national median of $68,080. New Jersey ranks 5th of 50 states for crane and tower operators pay, one of the best-paying states for this job. There are 0.23 crane and tower operators per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $102,380, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for crane and tower operators in New Jersey
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $65,510 | $31.49 |
| 25th percentile | $90,020 | $43.28 |
| Median | $100,640 | $48.39 |
| 75th percentile | $124,700 | $59.95 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $129,570 | $62.29 |
| Average (mean) | $102,380 | $49.22 |
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 | $8,386.67 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $4,193.33 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $3,870.77 |
| Weekly | $1,935.38 |
| Hourly | $48.39 |
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 New Jersey
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ | $100,640 | 1,500 |
| Atlantic City-Hammonton, NJ | $96,510 | 40 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | $72,010 | 790 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | $63,190 | 90 |
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 New Jersey
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Laborers and Freight, Stock, and Material Movers, Hand | $39,540 | $19.01 |
| Packers and Packagers, Hand | $43,840 | $21.08 |
| Stockers and Order Fillers | $37,250 | $17.91 |
| Industrial Truck and Tractor Operators | $46,100 | $22.16 |
| Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment | $37,090 | $17.83 |
| Refuse and Recyclable Material Collectors | $54,630 | $26.27 |
| Machine Feeders and Offbearers | $44,890 | $21.58 |
| Material Moving Workers, All Other | $64,870 | $31.19 |
| Pump Operators, Except Wellhead Pumpers | $64,990 | $31.24 |
| Conveyor Operators and Tenders | $50,750 | $24.40 |
| Tank Car, Truck, and Ship Loaders | $64,890 | $31.20 |
| Dredge Operator | $63,810 | $30.68 |
| Heavy and Tractor-Trailer Truck Drivers | $63,570 | $30.56 |
| Light Truck Driver | $46,820 | $22.51 |
More: Transportation and Material Moving Occupations · all salaries in New Jersey
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 New Jersey?
The median salary for crane and tower operators in New Jersey is $100,640 a year, or $48.39 an hour. Pay ranges from $65,510 for the lowest-paid 10% to $129,570 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid crane and tower operators make in New Jersey?
The top 10% of crane and tower operators in New Jersey earn at least $129,570 a year. The top 25% earn $124,700 or more.
What is the starting pay for crane and tower operators in New Jersey?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $65,510 a year, and a quarter of crane and tower operators earn $90,020 or less.
How many crane and tower operators work in New Jersey?
About 1,000 crane and tower operators are employed in New Jersey, not counting the self-employed.